Katerina Maniadaki

University of West Attica / Πανεπιστήμιο Δυτικής Αττικής, Social work, Faculty Member

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Katerina Maniadaki is Professor of Developmental Psychopathology at the Department of Social Work at the University of West Attica. She has received her undergraduate degree in Philosophy, Pedagogy and Psychology from the University of Athens, her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the Université Louis Pasteur, her Master’s degree (D.E.S.S.) in Developmental Psychology from the Université René Descartes, and her PhD in Developmental Psychopathology on the subject of ADHD from the University of Southampton. Since 1996, she has been working as a clinical child psychologist at the Psychological Center “ARSI” in Athens. Her clinical and research interests include developmental psychopathology issues, mainly early identification, secondary prevention, and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders. The main body of her work is on ADHD. She has published scientific books, edited collections, book chapters, and papers in Greek and international journals. Her last book "The complete guide to ADHD. Nature, diagnosis, and treatment" is published by Routledge-Taylor and Francis, is endorsed by international authorities and is used as a textbook in Universities all over the world. She has presented more than 100 papers in scientific conferences and she is the coordinator of numerous training programs on ADHD for mental health professionals and educators. Her contribution in scientific research, culture, and humanity has been also recognized with the Universum Donna 2016 award from the international organization Universum Academy Switzerland.
Phone: 210-2282544

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Videos by Katerina Maniadaki

01:56:51

Βασικές αρχές διαχείρισης των παιδιών με ΔΕΠ-Υ στα πλαίσια της οικογένειας

Σε αυτό το βίντεο, το οποίο δημιουργήθηκε υπό την αιγίδα της ADHD Hellas, παρουσιάζεται μία εισαγ... more Σε αυτό το βίντεο, το οποίο δημιουργήθηκε υπό την αιγίδα της ADHD Hellas, παρουσιάζεται μία εισαγωγική διάλεξη για τη ΔΕΠ-Υ, ακολουθούμενη από μια σύνοψη των βασικών αρχών διαχείρισης των παιδιών με ΔΕΠ-Υ στα πλαίσια της οικογένειας

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Papers by Katerina Maniadaki

Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Parental Mental Health and Child Behavior in Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Children, 2026

in depression, anxiety, and stress, alongside increases in positive affect and life satisfaction.... more in depression, anxiety, and stress, alongside increases in positive affect and life satisfaction. These improvements were maintained or strengthened at T2. However, the control group showed no significant changes over time. Additionally, parents in the MBCT group reported indirect improvements in their children's behavioral adjustment at T1 and T2. Conclusions: Findings demonstrate that MBCT constitutes an effective intervention for reducing parental psychopathology and indirectly supporting parent-perceived improvements in child behavior, emphasizing the importance of incorporating mindfulness and mindful parenting components into family-centered interventions for parents of children with ASD.

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Adoption in Greece's child protection system: Adoptive parents' narratives and cognitions on psychosocial negotiations and therapeutic caregiving

Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience & Mental Health, 2025

Adoption is conventionally framed as a statutory mechanism for child protection; however, adoptiv... more Adoption is conventionally framed as a statutory mechanism for child protection; however, adoptive parents' perspectives reveal it to be a far more complex psychosocial process defined by continuous meaning-making, resilience, therapeutic caregiving, and pervasive uncertainty. This study presents a qualitative exploration of the narratives of twenty-seven adoptive parents. Using semi-structured interviews subjected to thematic analysis, the research examines how parents negotiate the semantic density of adoption as both rupture and repair, and as an intervention that reconfigures family identities. The analysis identifies three interconnected domains. First, parents conceptualise adoption as a paradoxical act that simultaneously embodies altruism, loss, and continuity. Second, experiences of pre-adoption preparation highlight asymmetrical power relations and experiences of inadequacy within professional systems. Third, post-placement life emerges as a site of ongoing negotiation, where parental identity, attachment, and the child's evolving sense of self are intertwined with service navigation, open contact dilemmas, and the sustained effort required to maintain family bonds. Findings illuminate adoption as a dynamic, reparative and unfinished process rather than a definitive resolution. They underscore the need for reforms in training, policy, and support services that acknowledge the complexity of adoptive parenthood. Specifically, the study argues for support structures that prioritise emotionally attuned accompaniment and trauma-informed approaches, enabling families to adapt to evolving challenges and fostering resilience across the life course.

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Bibliotherapy. A "new" service for Libraries

Purpose-The present research aims to investigate the nature and characteristics of bibliotherapy,... more Purpose-The present research aims to investigate the nature and characteristics of bibliotherapy, as they have been formulated in experts' opinions related to the specific topic. The research aimed to set a general framework and to examine the relationship between bibliotherapy and librarians. Design / methodology / approach-The generic purposive sampling technique was used to investigate the topic. Six in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted. Interview data were analyzed, and 5 distinct categories emerged. Findings-Participants believe that books can be used to treat psychological problems and difficulties and improve the quality of life of individuals. Thus, bibliotherapy can be viewed as an opportunity for libraries to strengthen their position in modern societies and offer new, relevant services. Originality / value-The paper presents the views of six experts (three from Greece, one from Italy and two from the UK). Two of them were approached due to their direct professional involvement with bibliotherapy. The remaining participants are connected in various ways to books and reading and have a good insight into the therapeutic potential of books.

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The right of child participation in local governance in Greece: Children and youth council members’ views

Child participation in civic life constitutes a fundamental childrens' right. This qualitative st... more Child participation in civic life constitutes a fundamental childrens' right. This qualitative study , conducting 10 focus groups, examined the views and experiences of children, adolescents and young people in Greece about the right of the child to participate in local governance. The findings show that despite the value placed on children's right to participate in local decision-making processes, a series of obstacles, more saliently institutional and cultural barriers as well as issues of discrimination and social exclusion of specific child groups, were identified obstructing full realization of this right. Ways to promote, strengthen and implement meaningful child participation are discussed.

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The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy in the Relationship Between Locus of Control and Resilience in Primary School Students

by Asimenia Papoulidi and Katerina Maniadaki

Resilience refers to an enduring and yet fluid characteristic that enhances children's adaptation... more Resilience refers to an enduring and yet fluid characteristic that enhances children's adaptation. It is a dynamic developmental process that is highly promoted by individuals' internal characteristics, such as self-efficacy and locus of control. The present study examined whether self-efficacy mediates the relationship between locus of control and resilience among Greek primary school students. Participants were 690 students aged 9-12 years who were enrolled at primary schools in Greece in Grades 4, 5, and 6. Participants completed a questionnaire including measures assessing resilience, locus of control, and self-efficacy. Structural equation modeling using AMOS 26.0 was used to analyze the data. The results indicated that locus of control and self-efficacy function as significant predictors for all dimensions of resilience, while demographic characteristics such as gender and grade only predict some dimensions of resilience. The hypothesized model was a good fit to the data, and self-efficacy partially mediates the relationship between locus of control and resilience. Psychologists, instructors, and practitioners can develop and apply intervention programs in order to strengthen children's resilience by enhancing their self-efficacy and helping them adopt an internal locus of control.

format_quoteSelf-efficacy and internal locus of control are significant predictors of resilience, mediating their relationship and demonstrating gender and grade differences.format_quote

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The Diagnostic Criteria of ADHD