Mara Šimunović

Guided by Porfeli’s model, we conducted two studies examining vocational identity among Croatian middle adolescents. In Study 1 ( N = 770), the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Croatian version of the Vocational Identity Status Assessment (VISA) were assessed. The six-factor model showed the best fit and was confirmed across gender and school type. Subscale reliability and convergent validity were supported. In Study 2 ( N = 549), adolescents were followed over three years (ages 16–18). Overall, commitment and in-depth exploration increased, while flexibility decreased. These trends were consistent across genders. However, gymnasium students showed more change, with increases in commitment, identification, and in-depth exploration, and decreases in self-doubt, flexibility, and in-breadth exploration. In contrast, vocational students showed stable identity profiles over time. The findings highlight the importance of educational context in shaping vocational identity development and support the use of VISA across diverse groups of secondary school students.

Background: Substance abuse (SA) imposes a significant global health burden, demanding innovative and accessible interventions. Virtual reality (VR) offers a promising approach, providing engaging and personalized treatment experiences. However, rigorous evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on VR's efficacy in the treatment and prevention of SA remains limited. This systematic review aimed to characterize VR interventions for substance‐related disorders and evaluate their effectiveness. Methods: To conduct this review, two researchers independently performed a comprehensive literature search across four databases using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: Twenty RCTs met the inclusion criteria, focusing on alcohol, nicotine and illicit drug use. These studies utilized diverse VR modalities, most frequently exposure therapy ( n = 10) and cognitive‐behavioural therapy ( n = 5), followed by approach bias modification, skills training, cognitive rehabilitation, counterconditioning and psychoeducation. Interventions varied in level of immersion and interactivity. Although the evidence was mixed, 17 studies demonstrated positive effects on at least one outcome variable. Most studies focused on proximal outcomes (e.g., craving), which frequently showed improvement. Clinically meaningful outcomes (e.g., substance use reduction and abstinence) were less frequently assessed, with seven of 10 studies reporting improvement. Conclusions: VR shows promise in addressing substance‐related disorders, particularly for alcohol and nicotine. However, substantial heterogeneity in VR interventions highlights the need for further research to standardize methodologies, optimize treatment parameters and explore the underlying working mechanisms of VR interventions. Additional research is also needed to assess VR's application to illicit drug use.

The aim of this study was to extend previous findings on antecedents of career adaptability in adolescence. Drawing on career construction theory and the distal-proximal theory of motivation, we investigated the mediating role of core self-evaluations in the relationship between basic personality traits and career adaptability in adolescence. The study included 1793 Croatian high-school students from 18 high schools who attended first to third grade. Path analysis revealed that adolescents? higher core self-evaluations partially accounted for the predictive effects of extraversion and conscientiousness on their career adaptability. Conscientiousness and extraversion were positively related to core self-evaluations, which, in turn, were related to higher career adaptability. There was also a very small but significant indirect effect of students? openness to experience on their career adaptability via core self-evaluations. Conscientiousness, extraversion, and openness to experience were directly and positively related to career adaptability. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in female population worldwide. In the psychological response to the disease some patients may develop Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptomatology. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and structure of PTSD symptoms in Croatian patients following breast cancer and to identify some medical and psychological predictors of severity of these symptoms. 97 women, who were one month up to six years post-completion of all primary cancer therapy, participated in the study. The present research is cross-sectional with a mixed method approach. For the screening of PTSD symptoms PTSD Checklist - Civilian Version (Weathers et al. 1991) was used, with two open-ended questions added. Using the cutoff method, 21.6% participants met criteria for PTSD diagnosis. Qualitative analysis indicated future-oriented intrusive thoughts about reoccurrence of cancer, multidimensional nature of cancer as stressors, and hyperarousal symptoms related to internal stimuli. In hierarchical multiple regression analyses, identified predictors accounted for 35.2% of variability in PCL-C score. PTSD severity was predicted by stressfulness appraisal of the disease (β=0.45; p<0.001), external health locus of control (β=0.17; p<0.05) and self-appraisal of coping with cancer (β=-0.17; p<0.05). Participants who underwent radical mastectomy (M=44.41, SD=15.5) showed higher levels of PTSD than participants who had partial mastectomy (M=33.47, SD=13.68). Prevalence of PTSD symptoms obtained in this study should be considered as significant, taking into account the lifetime prevalence of PTSD in the general female population. Psychological assessment of women following breast cancer should more often include an assessment of posttraumatic stress reactions. Furthermore, results are in the line with issues of utilizing basic concept of PTSD in the oncology setting, and possible need of reconceptualization of cancer-related PTSD.

Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi u kojoj mjeri zanimanja roditelja mogu odrediti STEM profesionalne interese učenika završnih razreda srednje škole. U uzorak je uključeno 463 srednjoškolaca (33 % mladića), koji su putem većeg...