Božidar Filipović

The present study explored how emerging adults experience their social media engagement and how these experiences may be relevant to narrative identity development from the perspective of McLean et al.’s (2007) process model of narrative identity development. Individual semi-structured interviews with 27 emerging adults (19 females, 8 males) were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three themes were developed. The theme Social media as a socially responsive context for self-expression captures perceptions of social media as a context for self-expression, exchange of perspectives, and meaningful interpersonal connections. The theme Selective online self-presentation captures perceptions of social media self-presentation as selective and providing a partial, potentially misleading, representation of a person. The theme Curating the social media profile through reflection on past and present selves describes tension between preserving personally significant memories on social media profiles and removing content that no longer represents how one currently sees oneself. Taken together, the themes suggest that social media represent a distinctive context for situated storytelling in which self-representations are socially negotiated, selectively constructed, and retrospectively curated. The affordances of this context may shape these storytelling processes and autobiographical reasoning, potentially contributing to a greater emphasis on thematic coherence than on temporal and causal coherence.

Narcissism has been consistently linked to self-regulatory processes involving impression managementand self-enhancement. Therefore we explore the prediction of false self-presentation on social network sitesthrough narcissism, and also when basic personality traits of BIG Five model are included as a mediators in thoserelationship.The present study examined the relationship between narcissism, as measured by the narcissism subscale of theDark Triad Dirty Dozen (DDTD, Dinid et al., 2018), and the presentation of false self on social networks sites (POFSon SNS), assessed using the adapted version of the False Facebook-self questionnaire (Gil-Or et al., 2015) . As amediator we used consciousness measured by BFI-20 (Tucakovid, Nedeljkovid, 2025).Using a cross-sectional design with a non-clinical youth sample (N = 1212, 54% female), mean age of M=17.86, SD=2,64, age in range from 14 to 31, correlational and regression analyses were conducted to evaluatewhether narcissistic traits predict higher levels of POFS on SNS. Results indicated a significant positive associationbetween narcissism and presentation of false self on SNS, suggesting that individuals high in narcissism are morelikely to engage in self-presentation strategies that mask their authentic self. Then we explored wheather theconsciousness play moderative role in relation between narcissism and POFSon SNS. Results didn’t show anysignificance. Then we explored mediative role in relation between narcissism and presentation of false self on SNS.Direct negative effect of narcissism was confirmed (β = −.23, p < .001). Conscioussness negative effect on POFS onSNS was confirmed (β = −.18, p < .001). Total effect of narcissism remained significant (β = .28, p < .001), and directeffect of narcissism in predicton of POFS on SNS remained significant even after introducing the mediatorconscioussness (β = .24, p < .001). Bootstrapping analysis (5000 samples) confirmed significance of the indirecteffect of counscioussness (β = .04, 95% CI [.03, .06]), indicating the partial mediation.These findings contribute to the understanding of narcissism as a personality trait characterized bystrategic self-construction and have implications for interpersonal functioning and psychological well-being.

The five-dimensional dual-cycle model of identity formation has been widely used in research. However, it has not been investigated whether identity processes, as described by this model, are general across various domains or domain-specific.The main objective of this study was to address this gap in knowledge by exploring whether identity processes, as described by the model, are general or specific across the domains of future goals related to education and friendship. Further objectives included testing the five-dimensional dual-cycle model among young people in Serbia and deriving identity statuses based on the identity processes in these two domains. Two adapted versions of the Dimensions of Identity Development Scale (DIDS) were created: one for future goals related to education and another for future goals related to friendship. The sample consisted of 955 high school and university students. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a domain-specific identity processes model, which included the five original factors of the DIDS. Configural, metric, and scalar invariance across gender were established. Cluster analysis identified six identity statuses: troubled diffusion, carefree diffusion, foreclosure, ruminative moratorium, achievement, and a cluster representing a combination of educational foreclosure and friendship carefree diffusion. The findings suggest that identity processes, according to the five-dimensional dual-cycle model, are domain-specific. However, identity statuses across the domains of future goals related to education and friendship are congruent for the majority of individuals. These results highlight the importance of exploring both domain-specific and shared factors in identity development in future research.

This paper examines how young people construct and manage their identities on Instagram, with particular attention to patterns of self-presentation over time. Drawing on a qualitative content analysis of Instagram profiles belonging to high school and university students in Serbia (N = 53), the study explores the extent to which visual content reflects continuity or discontinuity in identity construction. Contrary to initial expectations, the analysis reveals a relatively limited diversity of posted content, with notable uniformity and repetition across profiles. Content related to subcultural, political, religious, national, or sexual identities was largely absent or marginal. A particularly striking finding concerns the temporal structure of profiles: a substantial number of profiles contained no posts at all, while many others included only a small number of posts. On average, respondents published their first Instagram posts around the age of 18, and posts originating from earlier life stages—such as childhood or early adolescence—were extremely rare. These findings suggest that young users may actively curate their digital self-presentations by deleting earlier content or creating new profiles at key life transitions, particularly around the attainment of legal adulthood. Rather than serving as continuous visual archives of personal development, Instagram profiles appear to function as selectively constructed representations aligned with current identity positions. The paper situates these findings within the broader context of the historical rise of Instagram and ongoing debates on digital self-presentation. The analysis highlights types of content that are notably absent from participants’ Instagram profiles, despite their clear relevance to the participants’ social lives, including political events, nightlife, hobbies, education, religion, and significant life events. Although it is unlikely that participants are not involved in these activities or do not experience such events, they are rarely represented in the analyzed content, suggesting a selective mode of self-presentation rather than a lack of engagement. Instagram thus appears not to be perceived by participants as a digital space for displaying the full scope of their social lives, a conclusion further supported by irregular posting patterns and extended pauses in content sharing. This research was supported by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, Grant No. 6701, Youth Identity Development Through the Use of Digital Media-IDENTITYthroughMEDIA.

The aim of this study was to examine whether the Dark Triad and boredom are significant predictorsof perfectionism in students. Previous studies, describing perfectionism as a desire for perfection, have linkedit to narcissism. This study explores this connection in more depth by introducing, instead of just narcissism,other aspects of the Dark Triad, Machiavellianism, psychopathy and boredom. The sample consisted of 101students of both sexes (F=58%, X²(1)=2.919, p>.001) with an average age of M=22.63 (SD=1.86), ranging from19 to 31. The Big Three Perfectionisms, the Dark Triad Questionnaire, the Multidimensional Boredom Scaleand the UCLA-20 Loneliness Scale were used in the study. During the administration of this battery of tests, allrespondents were also given a socio-demographic data questionnaire that was specially constructed for theneeds of this study. Multiple regression analysis and mediation analysis were used for the analysis.The results showed that Machiavellianism and boredom are mediators in the relationship betweenperfectionism, narcissism and psychopathy. There is a direct significant association between narcissism(z=4.769, p<.001) and psychopathy (z=3.383, p<.001) and perfectionism, but it becomes insignificant whenMachiavellianism and boredom are introduced into this model (z=.634, p=526, z=.632, p=527).

The paper explores the older persons? vulnerability to various forms of violence, employing a positive deviance approach. This paper aims to elucidate a novel methodological framework in social research through an empirical case study, particularly beneficial for action research. The positive deviance approach is rooted in methodological individualism and presents a fluid, eclectic framework that avoids the pitfalls of in-depth profiling. Epistemologically, it does not presume the cognitive superiority of the researcher over the respondents, and the boundaries of its theoretical potential are clearly delineated by the desired outcome of the interventions conducted within the realm of social relations. From a practical perspective, it serves as a tool for identifying, enhancing, and expanding specific behaviours that can be utilised to address particular challenges. The results of a two-and-a-half-year study conducted in Serbia (Plandiste, Uzice, and Valjevo, January 2020 ? July 2022) revealed that the development of support networks and increased spatial mobility significantly contribute to better integrating the older adults into their local communities. Financial and property independence emerged as crucial elements of resilience among the older adults. Ba employing the positive deviance approach, successful strategies used by some older individuals as effective mechanisms for preventing or mitigating the risk of violence were identified.

In this paper, we will explore the possibilities of analyzing visual content on social media. Specifically, we are interested in whether Goffman's theory can be applied to the analysis of Instagram. The intention is to investigate how and in what ways the key concepts of Goffman's theory can be "translated" in order to gain new insights. Concepts such as region, team, and role distance. Such an attempt opens up new possibilities in the analysis of social media, but at the same time presents new challenges. The main challenge lies in the way and possibilities of articulating Goffman's dramaturgical model outside the context of face-to-face interaction. The act of comparison requires finding new ways to utilize the theoretical "tools" that Goffman has left us as a legacy. On the one hand, there is the danger of oversimplifying his theory, reducing it to mere analogies without any "added value." On the other hand, there is the risk of denying the significance of the new and different context of its application. Our reconsideration of the possible applications of Goffman's theory has been encouraged by a specific research task, namely the project 'Youth Identity Development Through the Use of Digital Media', supported by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia. The project is led by the University of Belgrade - Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation. Part of the project is the content analysis of Instagram profiles of high school and university students. The project also includes other research methods: a survey (with the largest number of participants) and a focus group interview. However, these parts (of the research) will not be the focus of this paper. The aim of this paper is to outline the theoretical foundations for the potential analysis of empirical material collected for the purpose of content analysis.

The perception of (in)security plays a crucial role in shaping individuals' interactions with their environment and can have significant implications for the prevalence and persistence of criminal activity within communities. Perceived insecurity can lead individuals to fear becoming victims of crime and can affect the willingness of individuals to report crimes to authorities. Furthermore , it can undermine social cohesion within communities by eroding trust and cooperation among residents. The subjective security experience in the neighbourhood is a multifaceted phenomenon influenced by various determinants. Using data from the European Social Survey Round 10, the paper aims to scrutinise the potential factors contributing to feelings of security among the respondents in Serbia. We focus on the respondents' perceptions of security in four regions (Bel-grade, Vojvodina, Šumadija and West Serbia, and South and East Serbia) operationalised through the question "How safe do you-or would you-feel walking alone in your neighbourhood after dark?". By examining determinants such as age, gender, daily activity, area (rural or urban), social capital, interpersonal trust and perceived quality of society, this paper aims to shed light on the complexities of security perception. The primary findings underscore the significance of individual vulnerability and social integration measures as critical indicators of security perceptions in the neighbourhoods. The study highlighted notable regional variations in predictors of security perceptions , emphasising the necessity of localised approaches to address security concerns. By comprehensively understanding the determinants of subjective security, policymakers and urban planners can develop targeted strategies to mitigate fear and enhance security perceptions.

Despite the theoretical and political importance of the relationship between institutional trust and different forms of political participation in Europe, theoretical and empirical focus on post-industrial economies leave the literature wanting of explanations of cross-national variation in political participation. In this article, we test whether levels of corruption influence the relationship between institutional trust and participation. We rely on the 9th wave of the European Social Survey results for an in-depth analysis of the relationship between institutional trust, political participation, and perceived corruption in 27 countries. The multilevel regression analysis results show that the effect of institutional trust on institutionalised political participation (including voting) is moderated by corruption. However, corruption does not moderate the relationship between institutional trust and non-institutionalised forms of participation.