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Youth in transition: navigating expectations in the post-COVID era
Full text linkIN ENGLISH: 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. --------------- IN CROATIAN: Ovo poglavlje uspoređuje percepcije društvenih normi među mladima u Hrvatskoj i Sloveniji, otkrivajući različite mehanizme koji oblikuju njihova stajališta. Hrvatski mladi pokazuju obrasce ovisne o dobi, gdje rastuća autonomija utječe na internalizaciju društvenih očekivanja, što dovodi do sve većeg samopouzdanja u kombinaciji s realističnijom procjenom ostvarivih životnih ciljeva, osobito u području obrazovanja, stanovanja i financijske samostalnosti. Slovenski mladi, osobito žene, suočavaju se s izraženim rodnim nejednakostima ukorijenjenima u strukturnim nepravdama, koje ih opterećuju opsežnim društvenim i obiteljskim odgovornostima. Obje skupine mladih doživljavaju napetost između individualnih aspiracija i kolektivnih normi, pri čemu zrelost donosi prijelaz od optimizma prema pragmatičnijoj procjeni društvenih prekretnica. Socioekonomski status (SES) snažno korelira s vjerovanjem mladih u osobni uspjeh i pridržavanje društvenih očekivanja, pri čemu je viši SES povezan s većim samopouzdanjem i snažnijom internalizacijom, iako nacionalni konteksti posreduju ove učinke. Tijekom pandemije COVID-19, dobne razlike u opravdavanju javnozdravstvenih normi bile su minimalne, no razlike prema SES-u bile su značajne, osobito u Sloveniji. Hrvatski mladi pokazivali su manju ukupnu podršku zdravstvenim mjerama, ali jače prihvaćanje obiteljskih dužnosti
Components of an inclusive, democratic culture in pedagogical practice of early childhood education and care teachers in Croatia
Full text linkIN ENGLISH: Educational policy and pedagogical practice that meet the needs of young children and their families are those that are inclusive, diverse and democratic. The early childhood education and care system serves as an essential tool for preventing inequality and educational poverty, while enabling every child to develop to their full potential. The aim of this article, therefore, is to identify elements of democratic culture and inclusive pedagogical practice within the early childhood education and care system in Croatia. Following a qualitative interpretative approach, data collected from 35 interviews with teachers from 13 early childhood education and care institutions were analysed using the NVivo software. The coding framework was based on the selected International Step-by-Step Association standards of quality pedagogical practice within the standard of Inclusion, Diversity and Values of Democracy. Inter-rater reliability was assured. The results indicate a diverse understanding of democratic values among early childhood education and care teachers, as well as differences in incorporating elements of inclusive and democratic culture in their practice. Furthermore, there is a lack of specific knowledge about diversity, democracy and inclusion. However, an analysis of specific elements of early childhood education and care teachers’ everyday pedagogical practice indicates warm, supportive and responsive democratic relationships. These relationships focus on the child’s abilities, potential and needs, along with the teacher’s ability to create an inclusive and stimulating learning environment within the early childhood education and care setting. Implications for improving pedagogical practice are discussed. --------------- IN CROATIAN: Odgojno-obrazovna politika i pedagoška praksa koje zadovoljavaju potrebe djece rane i predškolske dobi te njihovih obitelji trebaju biti uključive, raznolike i demokratske. Sustav ranog i predškolskog odgoja i obrazovanja služi kao ključni alat za sprječavanje nejednakosti i obrazovnog siromaštva, istovremeno omogućujući svakom djetetu razvoj punog potencijala. Cilj ovog rada jest identificirati elemente demokratske kulture i inkluzivne pedagoške prakse unutar sustava ranog i predškolskog odgoja i obrazovanja u Hrvatskoj.
Slijedeći kvalitativni interpretativni pristup, podaci prikupljeni iz 35 intervjua s odgojiteljica iz 13 dječjih vrtića analizirani su pomoću softvera NVivo. Kodni plan temeljen je na odabranim standardima kvalitetne pedagoške prakse Međunarodne udruge Korak po korak, u okviru standarda Inkluzija, različitosti i demokratske vrijednosti. Zajamčena je pouzdanost među koderima. Rezultati ukazuju na različita shvaćanja demokratskih vrijednosti među odgojiteljicama, kao i na razlike u implementaciji elemenata inkluzivne i demokratske kulture u njihovu pedagošku praksu. Nadalje, prisutan je nedostatak specifičnih znanja o raznolikosti, demokraciji i uključenosti. Ipak, analiza konkretnih elemenata svakodnevne pedagoške prakse odgojiteljica ukazuje na tople, podržavajuće i responzivne demokratske odnose. Ti su odnosi usmjereni na djetetove sposobnosti, potencijale i potrebe, uz sposobnost odgojitelja da osigura inkluzivno i poticajno okruženje za učenje. Na kraju, izložene su implikacije za unapređenje pedagoške prakse
Past reflections, present insights: a systematic review and new empirical research into the working memory capacity (WMC)-fluid intelligence (Gf) relationship
No full textIN ENGLISH: According to the capacity account, working memory capacity (WMC) is a causal factor of fluid intelligence (Gf) in that it enables simultaneous activation of multiple relevant information in the aim of reasoning. Consequently, correlation between WMC and Gf should increase as a function of capacity demands of reasoning tasks. Here we systematically review the existing literature on the connection between WMC and Gf. The review reveals conceptual incongruities, a diverse range of analytical approaches, and mixed evidence. While some studies have found a link (e.g., Little et al., 2014), the majority of others did not observe a significant increase in correlation (e.g., Burgoyne et al., 2019; Salthouse, 1993; Unsworth, 2014; Unsworth & Engle, 2005; Wiley et al., 2011). We then test the capacity hypothesis on a much larger, non-Anglo-Saxon culture sample (N = 543). Our WMC measures encompassed Operation, Reading, and Symmetry Span task, whereas Gf was based on items from Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices (Raven). We could not confirm the capacity hypothesis either when we employed the analytical approach based on the Raven's item difficulty or when the number of rule tokens required to solve a Raven's item was used. Finally, even the use of structural equation modeling (SEM) and its variant, latent growth curve modeling (LGCM), which provide more “process-pure” latent measures of constructs, as well as an opportunity to control for all relevant interrelations among variables, could not produce support for the capacity account. Consequently, we discuss the limitations of the capacity hypothesis in explaining the WMC-Gf relationship, highlighting both theoretical and methodological challenges, particularly the shortcomings of information processing models in accounting for human cognitive abilities. ------------- IN CROATIAN: Prema hipotezi kapaciteta, kapacitet radnog pamćenja (eng. working memory capacity, WMC) uvjetuje fluidnu inteligenciju (eng. fluid intelligence, Gf) time što omogućuje simultanu aktivaciju više relevantnih informacija u svrhu rezoniranja. Posljedično, korelacija između WMC-a i Gf-a trebala bi rasti u funkciji zahtjevnosti zadataka rezoniranja. U ovome smo radu načinili sustavni pregled postojeće literature o vezi između WMC-a i Gf-a. Pregled je otkrio konceptualne neusklađenosti, raspon različitih analitičkih pristupa i rezultate koji nisu jednoznačni. Dok su neke studije utvrdile vezu (npr. Little et al., 2014), većina drugih nije (npr. Burgoyne et al., 2019; Salthouse, 1993; Unsworth, 2014; Unsworth & Engle, 2005; Wiley et al., 2011). Potom smo testirali hipotezu kapaciteta na mnogo većem, ne-anglosaksonskom uzorku (N = 543). WMC mjere su uključivale operacionalni zadatak radnog pamćenja, zadatak radnog pamćenja pri čitanju i zadataka radnog pamćenja pri procjeni simetričnosti matrica, dok je Gf mjerena česticama iz Ravenovih progesivnih matrica za napredne (Raven). Hipotezu kapaciteta nismo mogli potvrditi ni kada smo koristili analize temeljene na težini Ravenovih zadataka ni kada smo koristili broj pravila (ili njihovih specifičnih oblika) potrebnih za rješavanje pojedine čestice. Konačno, čak ni primjena strukturalnog modeliranja (eng. structural equation modeling, SEM) i njegove podvarijante, modeliranja latentne krivulje rasta (eng. latent growth curve modeling, LGCM), koji pružaju “procesno čišće” latentne mjere konstrukata, kao i priliku za kontrolu svih relevantnih odnosa među varijablama, nije uspjela pružiti potporu hipotezi kapaciteta. Sukladno, u diskusiji raspravljamo o ograničenjima hipoteze kapaciteta u objašnjavanju odnosa između WMC i Gf, ističući kao teorijska tako i metodološka pitanja, posebno nedostatke modela obrade informacija u objašnjavanju ljudske inteligencije
The paradox of participation: gender, autonomy, and suppression in academic science
No full textIN ENGLISH: Women have made significant contributions to science, yet continue to face barriers to full participation and recognition within academic institutions. While research has examined gender disparities in career outcomes, less attention has been paid to how structural conditions constrain women’s autonomy and academic voice. This study addresses that gap by analyzing survey data from a nationally representative sample of 780 Croatian scientists and scholars across six disciplines. Using a quantitative approach, including t-tests, hierarchical regression, and cluster analysis, we examine gender differences in research productivity, leadership, institutional belonging, scientific values, and perceived suppression of academic voice (SAVE). Findings show that women’s research productivity is largely comparable to men’s, but they report significantly higher levels of suppression, particularly at senior ranks and in fields such as the natural sciences and humanities. Gender emerged as the strongest predictor of suppression, even after accounting for rank, output, and job satisfaction. Women also expressed stronger identification with their institutions and a more socially engaged view of science, yet were more likely to fear professional repercussions for expressing critical or controversial views. These findings reveal a structural paradox: women are key contributors to science’s public mission, yet face systemic constraints on their ability to speak, lead, and shape academic discourse. Addressing gender equity in science therefore requires not only improving representation, but transforming the institutional cultures that limit academic autonomy and participation. -------------- IN CROATIAN: Iako žene u znanosti daju ključan doprinos i sve su više prisutne u akademskim institucijama, njihova puna participacija i vidljivost i dalje su ograničene strukturnim uvjetima koji oblikuju autonomiju i akademski glas. Ovaj rad analizira nacionalno reprezentativno istraživanje provedeno među 780 hrvatskih znanstvenika i znanstvenica iz šest znanstvenih područja. Primjenom t-testova, hijerarhijske regresije i klasterske analize ispitane su rodne razlike u istraživačkoj produktivnosti, vodstvu projekata, institucionalnoj pripadnosti, znanstvenim vrijednostima i percipiranom suzbijanju akademskog glasa (SAVE). Nalazi pokazuju da je istraživačka produktivnost žena uvelike usporediva s muškarcima, no žene izvještavaju o značajno višim razinama suzbijanja glasa, osobito na višim akademskim rangovima te u prirodnim znanostima i humanistici. Rod se pokazao najjačim prediktorom suzbijanja, čak i kada se uzmu u obzir rang, produktivnost i zadovoljstvo poslom. Žene pritom snažnije izražavaju pripadnost svojoj instituciji i društveno angažirano poimanje znanosti, ali su i sklonije strahu od profesionalnih posljedica pri izricanju kritičkih ili kontroverznih stavova. Ovi nalazi ukazuju na strukturni paradoks: žene značajno doprinose javnoj misiji znanosti, ali istodobno se suočavaju sa sustavnim ograničenjima u mogućnosti da govore, vode i oblikuju akademski diskurs. Postizanje ravnopravnosti u znanosti stoga zahtijeva ne samo povećanje zastupljenosti, već i transformaciju institucionalnih kultura koje ograničavaju akademsku autonomiju i participacij
Ivan Burić: Sociologija hrvatskog društva: procesi i strukture u suvremenom hrvatskom društvu, Zagreb: Jesenski i Turk, 2024., 293 str.
No full textIN CROATIAN: Knjiga Sociologija hrvatskog društva, autora Ivana Burića, analiza je suvremenoga hrvatskog društva od 1991. do 2023. godine. Objavljena je 2024. godine u nakladi Jesenski i Turk te u 18 poglavlja na 293 stranice predstavlja sintezu najvažnijih društvenih, političkih, ekonomskih, geografskih, prostornih i zdravstvenih istraživanja o hrvatskom društvu. Okupivši te nalaze na jednome mjestu, autor im je dao dodatnu analitičku težinu i omogućio koherentno razumijevanje različitih društvenih procesa koji obilježavaju suvremenu Hrvatsku. ---------------- IN ENGLISH: The book "Sociology of Croatian society", by Ivan Burić, is an analysis of contemporary Croatian society from 1991 to 2023. It was published in 2024 by Jesenski i Turk and, in 18 chapters and 293 pages, presents a synthesis of the most important social, political, economic, geographical, spatial and medical research on Croatian society. By gathering these findings in one place, the author has given them additional analytical weight and a more coherent understanding of the various social processes that characterize contemporary Croatia
From parish to parliament: resources and alliances of anti-gender movements in Southeast Europe
No full textIN ENGLISH: This article explores the emergence of anti-gender mobilisation in Southeast Europe with a comparative case study of Bulgaria, Croatia, and Serbia. I employ a most similar systems design to explain different outcomes, namely, varying levels of movement mobilisation in the three countries. Two factors are proven to be crucial: religious resource mobilisation and right-wing alliance dynamics. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with leaders of anti-gender organisations to better understand actors’ strategic motivations and perceptions of context when deciding (not) to mobilise. The article shows that investigations of countermovements should be expanded by analyses disaggregating the seemingly monolithic field of (far-)right politics. --------------- IN CROATIAN: Ovaj članak istražuje pojavu antirodne mobilizacije u jugoistočnoj Europi kroz komparativnu studiju slučaja Bugarske, Hrvatske i Srbije. Primjenjuje se dizajn najsličnijih sustava kako bi se objasnili različiti ishodi, odnosno različite razine mobilizacije pokreta u te tri zemlje. Dva se čimbenika pokazuju ključnima: mobilizacija religijskih resursa i dinamika savezništava na desnici. Provedeni su polustrukturirani intervjui s voditeljima antirodnih organizacija kako bi se bolje razumjele strateške motivacije aktera i njihove percepcije konteksta pri odlučivanju hoće li (ili neće) kolektivno djelovati. Članak pokazuje da bi istraživanja protupokreta trebalo proširiti analizama koje raščlanjuju naizgled monolitno polje (krajnje) desne politike
Youth’s educational experiences before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
Full text linkIN ENGLISH: This chapter explores shifts in educational trajectories and student well-being in Croatia and Slovenia before (2018), during, and after (2023) the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings indicate that participation in formal education remains high, particularly in Slovenia, with girls more often enrolled in graduate studies. However, students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds were disproportionately excluded from higher levels of education, with inequalities especially evident in Croatia at the primary and secondary levels. The pandemic negatively affected subjective well-being, most severely among girls and young people in lower levels of education. Stress levels were consistently high, with differing patterns across countries and education levels, and were strongly linked to diminished well-being and academic performance. During the pandemic, schools and universities acted as crucial support structures, partly mitigating adverse outcomes, yet disparities persisted post-pandemic. Educational aspirations remained generally strong, though shaped by gender and socioeconomic status, revealing both resilience and entrenched inequalities in youth education pathways. --------------- IN CROATIAN: Ovo poglavlje istražuje promjene u obrazovnim putanjama i dobrobiti studenata u Hrvatskoj i Sloveniji prije (2018.), tijekom i nakon (2023.) pandemije COVID-19. Nalazi pokazuju da sudjelovanje u formalnom obrazovanju ostaje visoko, osobito u Sloveniji, pri čemu su djevojke češće upisane na diplomske studije. Međutim, studenti iz nižih socioekonomskih slojeva nesrazmjerno su isključeni iz viših razina obrazovanja, a nejednakosti su posebno izražene u Hrvatskoj na osnovnoškolskoj i srednjoškolskoj razini. Pandemija je negativno utjecala na subjektivnu dobrobit, najteže među djevojkama i mladima na nižim obrazovnim razinama. Razine stresa bile su dosljedno visoke, s različitim obrascima među zemljama i razinama obrazovanja, a snažno su bile povezane sa smanjenom dobrobiti i akademskim uspjehom. Tijekom pandemije škole i sveučilišta djelovale su kao ključne strukture podrške, djelomično ublažavajući negativne posljedice, no nejednakosti su se nastavile i u postpandemijskom razdoblju. Obrazovne aspiracije ostale su općenito snažne, iako oblikovane rodom i socioekonomskim statusom, što otkriva istodobno otpornost i ukorijenjene nejednakosti u obrazovnim putanjama mladih
The perception and visibility of the state on the island Of Žirje, Croatia
Full text linkIN ENGLISH: Žirje is the most remote island in Croatia’s Šibenik archipelago. Due to long-lasting historical isolation for military reasons, the gradual reduction of agriculture and low capacities for tourism, the island is losing its socio-economic vitality. In qualitative research,
islanders emphasised their conceptualisation of the state as the central actor when describing economic, demographic and ecological challenges and advocated for strong interventionism in revitalisation and development projects. This analysis is based on three
topics that illustrate a layered relationship between the islanders and the state. The first level
of analysis is the role of the state towards the development and maintenance of public infrastructure; the second is the relationship of islanders towards the existing legal framework and public law; and the third is the analysis of the active connection of the local population to state public institutions and community on the Žirje. For locals, the state is an emotionally charged presence characterised by disappointment and frustration yet coupled with a persistent hope for benevolent intervention to address their challenges. ------------- IN CROATIAN: Žirje je najudaljeniji otok u šibenskom arhipelagu u Hrvatskoj. Zbog dugotrajne povijesne izolacije iz vojnih razloga, postupnog smanjenja poljoprivrednih aktivnosti i malih turističkih kapaciteta, otok gubi svoju društveno-ekonomsku vitalnost. U kvalitativnom istraživanju, otočani ističu svoju konceptualizaciju države kao središnjeg aktera u opisivanju ekonomskih, demografskih i ekoloških izazova te zagovaraju snažan državni? intervencionizam u revitalizacijskim i razvojnim projektima. Ova analiza temelji se na tri teme koje ilustriraju slojevit odnos između otočana i države. Prva razina analize odnosi se na ulogu države u razvoju i održavanju javne infrastrukture; druga se bavi odnosom otočana prema postojećem pravnom okviru i javnom pravu; dok treća razina analizira aktivnu povezanost lokalnog stanovništva s državnim javnim institucijama i zajednicom na Žirju. Za lokalno stanovništvo, država je emocionalno nabijena prisutnost obilježena razočaranjem i frustracijom, ali istodobno povezana s postojanom nadom u njenu dobronamjernu intervenciju koja bi mogla odgovoriti na njihove otočne izazove
Macron’s European project: two faces of Europeanism
No full textIN ENGLISH: The paper examines the dual nature of Macron's Europeanism – his balance between republicanism and Europeanism. Using a qualitative methodology and an interpretive approach, some of Macron's most important speeches from 2017 to 2024 and some of his policies were analysed. The theoretical framework – realist constructivism – is used as an analytical tool for analysing Emmanuel Macron's policies. The paper also analyses the influence of the political context, Macron's political predecessors and the EU polycrisis on his Europeanism, as well as the role and relationship of values and interests in shaping his Europeanism. Furthermore, two initiatives – the European Political Community and the European Sky Shield Initiative – and their contribution to these relationships are exemplified. The paper concludes that Macron has clearly combined these two approaches with his plea for hard power and focus on protecting security interests on the one hand and his emphasis on the importance of values and the protection of norms on the other. --------------- IN CROATIAN: Rad ispituje dvojaku prirodu Macronovog europeizma – njegovu ravnotežu između republikanizma i europeizma. Koristeći kvalitativnu metodologiju i interpretativni pristup, analizirani su neki od Macronovih najvažnijih govora od 2017. do 2024. godine i neke od njegovih ključnih politika. Teorijski okvir – realistički konstruktivizam – koristi se kao analitički alat za analizu politika Emmanuela Macrona. Rad također analizira utjecaj političkog konteksta, Macronovih političkih prethodnika i polikrize EU, kao i ulogu i odnos vrijednosti i interesa u oblikovanju njegovog europeizma. Nadalje, primjerima se prikazuju dvije inicijative – Europska politička zajednica i Inicijativa Europski nebeski štit – i njihov doprinos tim odnosima. Rad zaključuje kako je Macron kombinirao dva pristupa europeizmu zalagajući se za tvrdu moć i sigurnosne interese s jedne strane te naglašavajući važnost vrijednosti i normi s druge strane
The YO-VID22 pandemic study: final conference: book of abstracts
No full textThe contributions in this book of abstract analyse 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. The two analysed countries differ in the institutional settings and opportunities to provide meaningful support to young people. In this context, Croatian youth report stronger family support, whereas Slovenian youth experienced more tension within the family environment. Regarding political participation, Croatian youth appear to be generally disappointed and passive, whereas Slovenian youth are more active. A general decline in trust and solidarity within both groups highlights the need for inclusive policies to enhance youth well-being. A set of policy recommendations accompanies each presentation