1. Drivers and constraints of employee satisfaction with remote work : an empirical analysisThabit Atobishi, Saeed Nosratabadi, 2023 Abstract: Background/Purpose: The Covid 19 epidemic has forced many organizations to move to remote work (RW), and this trend is expected to continue even later in the post-epidemic period. Employees of the organization are at the heart of this transi-tion to RW, so identifying the factors that affect employee satisfaction with RW is very important for organizations to increase employee commitment and motivation. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to identify and prioritize the factors affecting employee satisfaction with RW using an innovative method. Method: In the first phase of this study, a conceptual research model was designed inspired by literature. In the next phase, the proposed conceptual model of this re-search was tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). Then, using the artifi-cial neural network model, the importance of each of the model variables in pre-dicting employee satisfaction with RW was identified. Results: The findings of this article ultimately disclosed that work-life balance, in-stitutional and technological support, job satisfaction, and perceived limited com-munication are, respectively, are elements that affect employee satisfaction with RW. The first three factors are drivers of employee satisfaction and the last factor (i.e., perceived limited communication) is the constraint of employee satisfaction with RW because it had a statistically significant negative effect on employee satis-faction with RW. Conclusion: This study revealed that organizations should focus on the processes and strategies to improve employees’ work-life balance, provide institutional and technological support during remote work, and increase job satisfaction in order to increase the satisfaction level of their employees in the remote work. On the other hand, it was found that perceived limited communication is an effective factor that causes a decrease in the level of satisfaction of employees in remote work.
Keywords: remote work, employee satisfaction, structural equation modeling, multilayer per-ceptron, artificial intelligence, artificial neurol network, Covid 19 pandemic
Published in DKUM: 08.10.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 0
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2. Youth in transition : navigating expectations in the post-COVID eraDunja Potočnik, Gordana Kuterovac Jagodić, Minea Rutar, 2025, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph Abstract: This chapter compares youth perceptions of societal norms in Croatia and Slovenia, revealing distinct mechanisms shaping their views. Croatian youth exhibit age-dependent patterns where growing autonomy influences the internalisation of societal expectations, leading to increasing self-confidence paired with a realistic reassessment of attainable life goals, particularly in education, housing, and financial independence. Slovenian youth, especially women, confront pronounced gender disparities rooted in structural inequities, burdening them with extensive societal and familial responsibilities. Both cohorts experience tension between individual aspirations and collective norms, with maturity prompting a shift from optimism to pragmatic evaluation of social milestones. Socioeconomic status (SES) strongly correlates with youths’ belief in personal success and adherence to societal expectations, with higher SES linked to greater confidence and internalisation, although national contexts mediate these effects. During the COVID-19 pandemic, age differences in justifying public health norms were minimal, but SES differences were significant, especially in Slovenia. Croatian youth showed less overall support for health measures but greater familial duty endorsement.
Keywords: youth, expectations, life goals, COVID-19 pandemic, Croatia and Slovenia
Published in DKUM: 16.09.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 0
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3. Introduction: Why another study on COVID-19 and youth? : introduction to the YO-VID22 project main publicationAndrej Naterer, Dunja Potočnik, 2025, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph Abstract: The introductory chapter outlines the methodological design and rationale of the YO-VID22 project, which investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth well-being and support structures in Croatia and Slovenia. Employing a mixed-method approach, the study combined large-scale quantitative nationally representative surveys with qualitative methods, which included focus groups, expert interviews, and media content analysis. Quantitative data were collected through stratified online surveys on nationally representative samples of 16-29-year-olds, which enabled comparisons with pre-pandemic datasets. Qualitative components provided more profound insights into lived experiences, institutional responses, and public discourse surrounding youth. Focus groups captured peer-based dynamics and shared cultural values, while expert interviews highlighted systemic adaptations and policy gaps. At the same time, media analysis revealed shifting portrayals of young people in the public sphere. This integrated research design ensured both statistical robustness and contextual richness, and offered comprehensive evidence for understanding youth experiences during the pandemic and informing future policy and academic debates.
Keywords: youth, well-being, COVID-19 pandemic, Croatia, Slovenia
Published in DKUM: 09.09.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 5
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4. 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, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph Abstract: 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.
Keywords: life satisfaction, subjective well-being, youth vulnerabilities, mental health, COVID-19 pandemic
Published in DKUM: 09.09.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 5
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5. Two Countries, One Crisis : The YO-VID22 Pandemic Study2025, scientific monograph Abstract: 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.
Keywords: Croatian youth, Slovenian youth, mental health of young people, youth support structures, pandemic and Covid-19
Published in DKUM: 03.09.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 8
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6. Digital media and internet safety among primary school students during the Covid-19 pandemicInes Blažević, Nikolina Klein, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Digital media has become part of our everyday life in recent years, and this applies especially to school-age students. The COVID-19 pandemic and the transition to distance learning have raised the level of student exposure to the Internet, including its dangers. Aiming to examine the impact of preventive programs for safe Internet practices on the media literacy of children in primary school, we conducted an empirical study among 267 students. Media literacy was analysed in terms of the ways of using digital media as well as in terms of safe Internet practices, and comparisons were made by student gender and age.
Keywords: digital media, primary school students, COVID-19 pandemic, prevention programs, Internet safety
Published in DKUM: 24.07.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 0
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7. Analysis of the citizen’s attitudes about the economic measures to eliminate the consequences of the COVID19 pandemic in the Republic of SerbiaDragomir Dimitrijević, Milan Tomislav Kostić, Marija Radulović, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus has led to negative economic consequences in all countries. The COVID-19 pandemic created problems in the functioning of the economy, and economic state measures were necessary to reduce the negative impact of the pandemic. Every country in the world has tried to find the best economic measures to help its citizens overcome the negative effects of the pandemic as easily as possible. After 5 years since the pandemic began, the real effects of these state measures, which were also implemented by the Government of the Republic of Serbia, can now be seen much more objectively, which is analysed in this paper. The primary objective of this paper is to evaluate citizens' opinions on the effectiveness of the state economic measures implemented by the Government of the Republic of Serbia to mitigate the impact of pandemics on both citizens' lives and companies' operations.
Keywords: economic measures, COVID-19 pandemic, survey, respondents
Published in DKUM: 23.07.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 0
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8. Burnout and job satisfaction of healthcare workers in Slovenian nursing homes in rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemicLjiljana Leskovic, Karmen Erjavec, Robert Leskovar, Goran Vukovič, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: Introduction and objective: Since there is no study on burnout and job satisfaction in Slovenian nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aims to analyse job satisfaction and burnout levels of healthcare professionals working in Slovenian nursing homes in rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic, and make a comparison with the results of the same services in 2013.
Material and methods: The study is based on a cross-organisational and descriptive quantitative study conducted in spring 2013 (n = 556) and spring 2020 at the peak of the pandemic in Eastern Europe (n = 781) to identify the relationships and the changes in the satisfaction and burnout levels of healthcare professionals working in Slovenian nursing homes in rural areas, and on a qualitative study conducted in 2020, to identify in-depth relationships and changes in both studies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Results: An increase in burnout syndromes between 2013 – 2020 was observed. The respondents experienced intensified emotional exhaustion and lack of personal accomplishment during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, depersonalisation did not differ statistically over the years. During the pandemic crisis, healthcare workers were less satisfied with their job than in spring 2013. Their job satisfaction was related to satisfaction with the work of nursing homes and with the work of state institutions and politicians who directly affected their working conditions and recognition in society.
Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly exacerbated already existing burnout syndromes of nursing homes healthcare workers in Slovenian rural areas. Job satisfaction proved to be a relevant predictor of burnout syndrome. A negative correlation was observed between job satisfaction in 2020 and emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment in 2013 and 2020.
Keywords: job satisfaction, professional burnout, healthcare workers, nursing homes, COVID-19 pandemic
Published in DKUM: 28.01.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 8
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9. COVID-19 vaccine boosters: the good, the bad, and the uglyPiotr Rzymski, Carlos A. Camargo, Andrzej Fal, Robert Flisiak, Willis Gwenzi, Roya Kelishadi, Alexander Leemans, Juan J. Nieto, Ahmet Ozen, Matjaž Perc, Barbara Poniedziałek, Constantine Sedikides, Frank W. Sellke, Emilia C. Skirmuntt, Anzhela Stashchak, Nima Rezaei, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Pursuing vaccinations against COVID-19 brings hope to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and remains the most rational decision under pandemic conditions. However, it does not come without challenges, including temporary shortages in vaccine doses, significant vaccine inequity, and questions regarding the durability of vaccine-induced immunity that remain unanswered. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 has undergone evolution with the emergence of its novel variants, characterized by enhanced transmissibility and ability to at least partially evade neutralizing antibodies. At the same time, serum antibody levels start to wane within a few months after vaccination, ultimately increasing the risk of breakthrough infections. This article discusses whether the administration of booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines is urgently needed to control the pandemic. We conclude that, at present, optimizing the immunity level of wealthy populations cannot come at the expense of low-income regions that suffer from vaccine unavailability. Although the efficiency of vaccination in protecting from infection may decrease over time, current data show that efficacy against severe disease, hospitalization, and death remains at a high level. If vaccine coverage continues at extremely low levels in various regions, including African countries, SARS-CoV-2 may sooner or later evolve into variants better adapted to evade natural and vaccine-induced immunity, ultimately bringing a global threat that, of course, includes wealthy populations. We offer key recommendations to increase vaccination rates in low-income countries. The pandemic is, by definition, a major epidemiological event and requires looking beyond one's immediate self-interest; otherwise, efforts to contain it will be futile.
Keywords: COVID-19, pandemic, disease dynamics, exponential growth, virality, vaccination strategy, immunology, massive vaccinations, vaccine inequity, SARS-CoV-2
Published in DKUM: 14.10.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 11
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10. Endogenous social distancing and its underappreciated impact on the epidemic curveMarko Gosak, Moritz U. G. Kraemer, Heinrich H. Nax, Matjaž Perc, Bary S. R. Pradelski, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Social distancing is an efective strategy to mitigate the impact of infectious diseases. If sick or healthy, or both, predominantly socially distance, the epidemic curve fattens. Contact reductions may occur for diferent reasons during a pandemic including health-related mobility loss (severity of symptoms), duty of care for a member of a high-risk group, and forced quarantine. Other decisions to reduce contacts are of a more voluntary nature. In particular, sick people reduce contacts consciously to avoid infecting others, and healthy individuals reduce contacts in order to stay healthy. We use game theory to formalize the interaction of voluntary social distancing in a partially infected population. This improves the behavioral micro-foundations of epidemiological models, and predicts diferential social distancing rates dependent on health status. The model's key predictions in terms of comparative statics are derived, which concern changes and interactions between social distancing behaviors of sick and healthy. We ft the relevant parameters for endogenous social distancing to an epidemiological model with evidence from infuenza waves to provide a benchmark for an epidemic curve with endogenous social distancing. Our results suggest that spreading similar in peak and case numbers to what partial immobilization of the population produces, yet quicker to pass, could occur endogenously. Going forward, eventual social distancing orders and lockdown policies should be benchmarked against more realistic epidemic models that take endogenous social distancing into account, rather than be driven by static, and therefore unrealistic, estimates for social mixing that intrinsically overestimate spreading.
Keywords: COVID-19, pandemic, disease dynamics, exponential growth, virality
Published in DKUM: 14.08.2024; Views: 121; Downloads: 8
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