1. Multimodal observable cues in mood, anxiety, and borderline personality disorders: a review of reviews to inform explainable AI in mental healthGrega Močnik, Ana Rehberger, Žan Smogavc, Izidor Mlakar, Urška Smrke, Sara Močnik, 2025, pregledni znanstveni članek Opis: Mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder (BPD), are common, often begin early, and can cause profound impairment. Traditional assessments rely heavily on subjective reports and clinical observation, which can be inconsistent and biased. Recent advances in AI offer a promising complement by analyzing objective, observable cues from speech, language, facial expressions, physiological signals, and digital behavior. Explainable AI ensures these patterns remain interpretable and clinically meaningful. A synthesis of 24 recent systematic and scoping reviews shows that depression is linked to self-focused negative language, slowed and monotonous speech, reduced facial expressivity, disrupted sleep and activity, and altered phone or online behavior. Anxiety disorders present with negative language bias, monotone speech with pauses, physiological hyperarousal, and avoidance-related behaviors. BPD exhibits more complex patterns, including impersonal or externally focused language, speech dysregulation, paradoxical facial expressions, autonomic dysregulation, and socially ambivalent behaviors. Some cues, like reduced heart rate variability and flattened speech, appear across conditions, suggesting shared transdiagnostic mechanisms, while BPD’s interpersonal and emotional ambivalence stands out. These findings highlight the potential of observable, digitally measurable cues to complement traditional assessments, enabling earlier detection, ongoing monitoring, and more personalized interventions in psychiatry.
Ključne besede: observable cues, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, borderline personality disorder, multimodal signals, facial expressions, speech patterns, physiological signals, explainable AI, mental health assessment
Objavljeno v DKUM: 05.01.2026; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 1
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2. Burnout and the stigma of help-seeking in nurses : a cross-sectional studyAljana Smajlović, Leona Cilar Budler, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Aims: The aim of this study is to examine the association between burnout and the stigma of seeking professional psychological help among nurses working in surgical nursing field.
Background: Nurses working in surgical settings face high levels of occupational stress, which increases their risk of burnout. Burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment, can significantly impact both the well-being of healthcare professionals and the quality of patient care. Despite the availability of professional psychological support, many nurses hesitate to seek help due to stigma, cultural perceptions, and workplace norms. Understanding the relationship between burnout and help-seeking stigma is essential to developing targeted interventions that promote mental health support and reduce barriers to psychological care in nursing professionals.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Central Slovenia Region, from December 2024 to January 2025. 322 nurses completed the questionnaire on burnout and help-seeking stigma. Descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlation test, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis U test were performed. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The study included 322 surgical nurses, with the majority reporting moderate to high levels of emotional exhaustion. A weak but statistically significant negative correlation (ρ = -0.178, p = 0.002) was found between burnout and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help, indicating that nurses experiencing higher burnout levels were less likely to seek support. Nurses with high emotional exhaustion showed more stigmatized views (U = 2091.5, p = 0.010), though post-hoc power for this subgroup comparison was low (≈ 0.22). Gender differences were observed, with men reporting higher stigma against psychological help-seeking (p = 0.036), while women experienced higher burnout levels, particularly emotional exhaustion (p = 0.001). No significant associations were found between personal fulfillment and help-seeking attitudes (p = 0.807), nor between burnout and years of work experience (p = 0.325).
Conclusion: These findings highlight the persistent stigma surrounding mental health support among surgical nurses, particularly those experiencing higher burnout. Emotional exhaustion appears to play a critical role in shaping attitudes toward help-seeking, suggesting that burnout interventions should incorporate mental health education to reduce stigma and encourage psychological support utilization. Gender disparities in burnout and stigma further emphasize the need for tailored interventions addressing the unique challenges faced by male and female nurses. Future research should explore organizational and cultural factors influencing psychological help-seeking behaviors and assess the effectiveness of workplace-based mental health interventions.
Ključne besede: occupational burnout, psychological wellbeing, help-seeking stigma, mental health
Objavljeno v DKUM: 18.11.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 3
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3. From digital technology to healthy habits : interdisciplinary foundations for developing training programs for a healthy lifestyle among childrenKosta Dolenc, Samo Fošnarič, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: This article explores the impact of digital technology on children’s development, focussing on the physical, cognitive, and emotional domains. The introduction emphasises the benefits of digital tools for education and language acquisition, but also points out the associated risks such as physical inactivity, sleep disturbances and mental health problems. A rigorous methodological approach ensures the inclusion of high-quality data, while subsequent sections explore key themes, including the interplay between screen time, physical activity, and diet. The conclusion emphasises interdisciplinary interventions, including the ZŽS project framework, which integrates technology, health, and environmental responsibility. This approach aims to promote healthier lifestyle choices.
Ključne besede: digital technology, mental health, child development, physical activity
Objavljeno v DKUM: 02.10.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 15
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4. Mental health, burnout and stress-related symptoms among youth : prevalence and pandemic effectsGordana Kuterovac Jagodić, Darja Maslić Seršić, Sandra Antulić Majcen, 2025, samostojni znanstveni sestavek ali poglavje v monografski publikaciji Opis: The chapter examines youth mental health in Croatia and Slovenia through validated measures of depression, anxiety, stress (DASS-9), burnout (BAT-12), and self-reported worries. Results indicate elevated levels of impairment, with over one-quarter of young people in both countries reporting severe depressive symptoms, around 20% reporting severe anxiety, and nearly one-third reporting high stress, with Croatian respondents consistently showing slightly higher levels of depression and stress. Burnout symptoms were more pronounced among students than employed youth, which underlines the role of educational settings as environments of heightened psychological strain. There were statistically significant gender and age disparities observed: young women, particularly in the youngest cohorts, reported the highest levels of mental health difficulties, whereas older women showed improvement. Among men, different age-related trends emerged. Socio-economic status also influenced outcomes, with financially better-off youth reporting fewer symptoms.
Ključne besede: youth, mental health, burnout, Croatia, Slovenia
Objavljeno v DKUM: 16.09.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 7
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5. Life satisfaction and aspects of subjective well-being of youth as indicators of youth mental health : pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic perspectivesSandra Antulić Majcen, Andrej Naterer, Gordana Kuterovac Jagodić, 2025, samostojni znanstveni sestavek ali poglavje v monografski publikaciji Opis: This chapter examines youth well-being in Croatia and Slovenia before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, with particular emphasis on mental health outcomes. Findings reveal a marked decline in life satisfaction across family life, friendships, and body image, with negative changes disproportionately affecting girls and young people of lower socio-economic status. During the pandemic, around one-fifth of respondents reported rarely or never experiencing positive emotions, while one-third frequently encountered negative states such as sadness, fear, or anger. Loneliness emerged as a significant concern, particularly among girls, though age-specific patterns differed between the two countries. Despite this, most young people retained access to supportive social networks, which served as an important protective factor. On the other hand, the post-pandemic period showed improvements in subjective well-being, which included stronger social connectedness and more positive emotional states. However, persistent vulnerabilities remain, particularly among girls, the youngest cohort, and youth from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Ključne besede: life satisfaction, subjective well-being, youth vulnerabilities, mental health, COVID-19 pandemic
Objavljeno v DKUM: 09.09.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 7
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6. Support structures and intergenerational support during and after the COVID-19 pandemicDunja Potočnik, Andrej Naterer, 2025, samostojni znanstveni sestavek ali poglavje v monografski publikaciji Opis: This chapter examines the role of formal and informal support structures in shaping the well-being and resilience of youth in Croatia and Slovenia. In both countries, families remain the most important support system, particularly mothers, who are consistently identified as central figures in providing emotional and practical assistance. While peers also play a crucial role, the pandemic disrupted these relationships and reduced opportunities for in-person interaction. Institutional support, such as educational and employment services, remains important but often perceived as inaccessible or poorly adapted to the actual needs of youth. At the same time, a low level of trust in political institutions and the welfare system was observed, particularly in Croatia, which reinforces reliance on familial networks. Digital platforms increasingly serve as alternatives for connection and advice, although they cannot replace interpersonal support. Policy implications stress the need to expand accessible, youth-centred services, including mental health care, career guidance, and community-based initiatives. Strengthening institutional trust and investing in participatory frameworks would help diversify support beyond families and foster more resilient pathways for young people's social integration and life transitions.
Ključne besede: youth support, family networks, institutional trust, mental health, Croatia and Slovenia
Objavljeno v DKUM: 09.09.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 6
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7. Two Countries, One Crisis : The YO-VID22 Pandemic Study2025, znanstvena monografija Opis: The publication analyzes the experiences, values, and well-being of young people in Croatia and Slovenia before, during, and after the Covid-19 pandemic. The results show that the pandemic worsened physical and mental health, with young women being the most affected. In addition to stress, social isolation intensified, strongly reinforcing feelings of loneliness, while housing and financial barriers limited independence, especially among disadvantaged and urban youth. Mental health problems, particularly stress, depression, and burnout, remain widespread, and the pandemic further exacerbated these issues. In this context, Croatian youth report stronger family support, whereas Slovenian youth experienced more tension within the family environment. Regarding political participation, Croatian youth are evidently disappointed and passive, while Slovenian youth are more active. A general decline in trust and solidarity in both groups points to the need for inclusive policies to improve youth well-being.
Ključne besede: Croatian youth, Slovenian youth, mental health of young people, youth support structures, pandemic and Covid-19
Objavljeno v DKUM: 03.09.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 13
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8. Mental health and social trust : age and religiosity as moderators among young people in Croatia and SloveniaMinea Rutar, Andrej Naterer, Miran Lavrič, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: This study explored the moderating effects of age and religiosity on the relationship between social trust and mental health among young people aged 16–29 in Croatia (N = 1,177) and Slovenia (N = 1,227). Mental health was evaluated using two distinct measures: the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-9). Social trust was assessed as trust in close family members and generalised trust. Religiosity was measured by religious service attendance, the importance of God in daily life, and support received from religious organisations. The findings indicate that age moderates the relationship between trust in close family members and BAT in both countries, and the relationship between trust in close family and DASS in Croatia. In terms of religiosity, all three dimensions significantly moderated the relationship between generalised trust and DASS in Croatia, while only one of them did so when BAT was used as the dependent variable. No significant moderation effects of religiosity were found in Slovenia. In summary, the results suggest that the negative psychological impact of low social trust can be mitigated through various mechanisms. The moderating effect of age implies that psychosocial maturation during adolescence may buffer the impact of low trust in close family on mental health. Religiosity, on the other hand, may act as an emotional substitute for generalised trust, especially in highly religious contexts. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of the chosen mental health indicator, as moderating effects varied depending on whether BAT or DASS-9 was applied.
Ključne besede: generalized trust, trust in family members, mental health, emerging adulthood, religiosity
Objavljeno v DKUM: 27.08.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 5
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10. The Influence of Intersectionality on the Mental Health of Female Characters in Tsitsi Dangarembga's Nervous Conditions : master's thesisMelani Lesjak, 2024, magistrsko delo Opis: This Master’s thesis analyses the influence of intersectionality on the mental health of female characters in Tsitsi Dangarembga’s novel Nervous Conditions. It aims to illuminate the intersecting axes of oppression for each of the female characters to enable a better understanding of the situational context that instigates specific mental disorders in the characters. To foster a better understanding of the characters’ situational context, the Shona’s cultural significance and Zimbabwe’s colonial history are addressed, while the postcolonial theory is used in the analysis of the novel. Furthermore, studies investigating the influence of the intersectional axes of race, gender, culture and class on women’s mental health function as the foundation in the interpretation of the findings of the analysis. Definitions of mental disorders, taken from the World Health Organization and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illnesses are used in identifying mental disorders in Dangarembga’s female characters. By illustrating the complexity of marginalised experiences, in which the oppressional axes of gender, race, class and cultural identity intersect and result in mental disorders, this thesis also highlights the need for a thorough and holistic approach to understanding women’s mental health in postcolonial societies.
Ključne besede: Tsitsi Dangarembga, Nervous Conditions, intersectionality, mental health, postcolonialism
Objavljeno v DKUM: 29.11.2024; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 63
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