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Abstract: Background: There are many methods available for measuring social support and quality of life (QoL) of adolescents, of these, the KIDSCREEN tools are most widely used. Thus, we aimed to translate and validate the KIDSCREEN-27 scale for the usage among adolescents aged between 10 and 19 years old in Slovenia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2852 adolescents in primary and secondary school from November 2019 to January 2020 in Slovenia. 6-steps method of validation was used to test psychometric properties of the KIDSCREEN-27 scale. We checked descriptive statistics, performed a Mokken scale analysis, parametric item response theory, factor analysis, classical test theory and total (sub)scale scores. Results: All five subscales of the KIDSCREEN-27 formed a unidimensional scale with good homogeneity and reliability. The confirmatory factor analysis showed poor fit in user model versus baseline model metrics (CFI = 0.847; TLI = 0.862) and good fit in root mean square error (RMSEA = 0.072; p(χ2) < 0.001). A scale reliability was calculated using Cronbach's α (0.93), beta (0.86), G6 (0.95) and omega (0.93). Conclusions: The questionnaire showed average psychometric properties and can be used among adolescents in Slovenia to find out about their quality of life. Further research is needed to explore why fit in user model metrics is poor.
Keywords: social support, adolescent, psychometrics, factor analysis, quality of life
Published in DKUM: 23.08.2023; Views: 59; Downloads: 9
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Keywords: severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus 2, rheumatic diseases, quality of life, pandemic, telemedicine
Published in DKUM: 18.07.2023; Views: 101; Downloads: 15
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Abstract: Background: Mental well-being is a state in which an individual acts positively, feels good, copes with the daily stressors and contributes to his/her community. Adolescents are a population who experience the various stressors brought on by growing up. The purpose of the doctoral dissertation is to determine the mental well-being of adolescents in correlation with the support of family, friends, teachers, and nurses. Methods: The research was based on the paradigm of pragmatism which supports the usage of quantitative and qualitative approaches using mixed methods. The quantitative part of the research included 2 972 adolescents. The survey method was used, descriptive and inferential statistics and presentation of the results were done with the help of tables, charts and figures. In the qualitative part of the research, data were collected using the interview method. Interviews were conducted with 5 focus groups involving 16 adolescents, 8 parents, 6 teachers, 3 legislators, and 6 nurses. The data were analysed following the steps of Corbin & Strauss (2008). Results: The mental well-being of adolescents is positively related (r = 0.624) to their social support. The mental well-being (r = -0.286) and social support (r = -0.239) of adolescents declines with age. Adolescents are of the opinion that the role of the nurse is to talk to them, help them, advise them, and explain difficulties that bother them. The mental well-being of adolescents is related to their interaction and interpersonal relations with parents, friends, and teachers. In ensuring the mental well-being of adolescents, we must consider the model multidimensional well-being. The Model of Interpersonal Relationships is proposed, which is formed based on the results of quantitative and qualitative part of the research and taking into account the concepts of the Theory of Interpersonal Relationships (Peplau, 1952) and the model of Multidimensional Well-being (Sarriera & Bedin, 2017). Discussion: Mental well-being is an important and relatively new concept in nursing. Adolescents’ mental well-being is closely linked to interpersonal relationships and a safe environment in which they can express themselves. Adolescents and parents do not obtain the necessary professional help in a timely manner. There is also a need for additional education on the mental well-being of adolescents among adolescents, parents, teachers, and nurses. Conclusion: Interpersonal relationships between adolescents, family, friends, teachers, and nurses are of major importance for ensuring mental well-being. There is a need for further research to improve the mental well-being of adolescents worldwide.
Keywords: youth, mental health, quality of life, social support, nursing
Published in DKUM: 12.09.2022; Views: 407; Downloads: 163
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Abstract: Young adults are individuals facing responsibilities, privileges, opportunities, and important developmental changes that accompany the period of emerging adulthood. Increases in various mood changes, anxiety and depression symptoms, widespread use of coping strategies, increased alcohol consumption and alcohol related problems are not uncommon during this time. The main aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between anxiety and alcohol consumption among young adults. Additionally, the effect of gender as a moderator, and avoidant coping and satisfaction with life as mediators, was tested and analysed. The participants were a part of a large national study of young people’s mental health in Ireland (My World Survey 2). The final sample included 5859 young adults aged 18 to 25 years, 71,2% of whom were females. The measures used in the current study were Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, Anxiety Subscale in the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, Avoidant Coping Subscale in the Adapted Coping Strategy Indicator and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. The results indicated that anxiety significantly predicted alcohol consumption, however, explained only 0,9 % of the total variance. The gender moderation analysis indicated that gender was a significant moderator in the relationship between anxiety and alcohol consumption. While the results notably indicated that increases in anxiety led to higher alcohol consumption in both males and females, the association was significantly stronger for the former. Further, avoidant coping was found to mediate the relationship between anxiety and alcohol use. Young adults that experienced higher anxiety symptoms were more likely to use avoidant coping strategies, which in turn led to higher alcohol consumption. Satisfaction with life did not mediate the relationship between anxiety and alcohol consumption. As such, the current study offers additional insights on the relationship between anxiety and alcohol consumption among young adults.
Keywords: young adults, alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems, anxiety, avoidant coping, satisfaction with life
Published in DKUM: 31.05.2021; Views: 812; Downloads: 78
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Abstract: The support for an ongoing global pursuit of sustainable development, consumer awareness about sustainability, and regulations have affected the transport and logistics sector due to the fact that it presents ample environmental, social and economic challenges. The transport sector contributes globally to about 14% of greenhouse gas emissions, and around one third of the European Union's emissions, yet also represents an important economic sector, employing around 10 million individuals, thus requiring an in-depth discussion, especially regarding environmental impact. Due to increasing global concern for the environment, companies and policymakers are facing pressure to reduce the environmental impact related to transport and logistics activities and make them more sustainable. Before choosing a best practice for improvement, especially regarding the environmental perspective, a thorough analysis regarding the environmental impact has to be carried out based on reliable data and methodology. For such purposes, the life cycle assessment (LCA) defined by standards ISO 14040 and 14044 is commonly used. While the LCA focuses only on the environmental perspective, sustainability is represented by three dimensions, which are environmental, economic and social and those are interlinked, which presents a challenge, as each dimension has a major impact on every stage of the life cycle of a product, process or service. Thus there is a need to evaluate all three perspectives of sustainability in order to make transport and logistics processes more sustainable. Another option to make transport and logistics processes more sustainable and to achieve sustainable development is through education. Thus, it is important to integrate sustainability-oriented topics in logistics programs and courses, and consequently educate future logisticians about sustainability. Considering environmental burdens and sustainable development in transport and logistics, we explored LCA regarding its use in transport and logistics and studied the integration of sustainability into logistics education in EU, as it is important to educate future logistics managers and decision makers to gain sufficient knowledge on the importance of sustainability. Also, as logistics processes pose several environmental challenges and impacts, social and economic impacts are the ones that are frequently overlooked. Thus we additionally focused on performing an applicable comprehensive sustainability evaluation of a monkey toy and evaluated its environmental (through LCA), social (through SLCA) and economic (through LCC) impacts through the life cycle. At the same time, we explored options to enhance the present CE concept in the monkey toy company. Exploring the use of LCA in transport and logistics, we focused on the state-of-the-art of transport-related life cycle assessment studies, as they are important for the decision-making processes. Our research of LCA & transport studies was framed around the requirements of the International Organization for Standardization. A specific focus was given to the quality of life cycle assessment phases, comprehending goal and scope, inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. Thirty-four research and review papers were studied, sourced from the Web of Science database. Studying the monkey toy, we firstly assessed the environmental impacts of the toy through LCA and additionally combined it with SLCA and LCC to evaluate the toy's sustainability comprehensively. Based on the results of the sustainability evaluation, we gained an insight into environmental, economic and social hotspots that the monkey represents. We then presented a possible enhancement of the CE concept. Lastly, focusing on logistics education, we analyzed and elaborated upon an integration of sustainability topics at higher education programs in logistics and their curricula for bachelor and master degrees at universities across Europe.
Keywords: logistics, transport, sustainability, life-cycle assessment, logistics education
Published in DKUM: 26.03.2021; Views: 1174; Downloads: 10
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