Vita Poštuvan
Biographic Data
| ID | 4470873 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Vita Poštuvan |
| GIVEN NAMES | Vita |
| FAMILY NAME | Poštuvan |
| SIGNATURE | POŠTUVAN V |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Primorska |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-8258-5852 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 30 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 0 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 30 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2010 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 0 |
Police mental health and stress in Slovenia
This study aimed to investigate the state of mental health and help-seeking behaviour in a sample of Slovenian police officers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, we examined the variables that influence the likelihood of seeking help within the police, the relationship between measured variables and created a model explaining these relationships. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 279 police officers, representing 3.87% of …
Responsible reporting on suicide in Slovenia
Exposure to media reporting on suicide can be both a risk and a protective factor, as (ir)responsible reporting on suicide can have different effects on vulnerable people. Since online media are increasingly important in everyday life, this study aimed to examine how the three most widely read Slovenian online media report on suicide. 114 online media articles published between 1 January and 31 December 2017 were included in the study and assesse…
Validation of the Slovenian Intimate Violence and Traumatic Affect Scale (S-Vita)
This study addresses the scarcity of quantitative tools for assessing the mental health consequences of intimate partner violence on women, focusing on validating the Slovenian translation of the Intimate Violence and Traumatic Affect Scale (S-VITA). Using an online cross-sectional design, we surveyed a representative sample of 1,016 Slovenian women, with 275 experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). Confirmatory factor analysis, performed on…
Media Portrayals of Suicide's Risk and Protective Factors in Slovenia (1959 – 1999)
This study examined the historical shifts in Slovenian public attitudes towards suicide by analyzing media coverage in two major Slovenian newspapers from 1959 to 1999. We conducted a database search and analyzed 1,785 relevant articles from an initial pool of 13,042 hits. Our findings reveal that the media reported more frequently on risk factors for suicide than on protective factors across the decades. The most frequently mentioned risk factor…
Media Coverage of Suicidal Behaviour in the Context of Slovenian independence
Slovenia was part of Yugoslavia and became independent in 1991 after a ten-day war. Slovenia had the highest suicide rate of all the member states of Yugoslavia. All young men in Yugoslavian states served the military out of their home state and some soldiers returned in a coffin because of suicide. This, among other factors, was the trigger for the discussion about independence, in which Slovenian newspapers played a part. Suicide rates tend to …
Narratives at the Crossroads
This study examines the representation of suicide in Slovenian newspapers from 1959 to 1999, a period characterised by profound socio-political changes. By analysing 1,785 articles from the archives of two major newspapers, Delo and Večer, we identified a dynamic relationship between the style of media reporting on suicide and the evolving societal context. Our findings suggest a transition from predominantly provocative to increasingly preventiv…
Attitudes toward Medically Assisted Dying Among the General Public in Slovenia
The aim of this study was to explore public attitudes toward medically assisted dying, focusing on the role of socio-demographic factors, mental health conditions, and personal experiences. Data were collected via an online panel in Slovenia, which consisted of 567 participants (53.1% men) aged 18 years and older. The majority of respondents supported medically assisted dying for terminally ill individuals (76.4%) and expressed willingness to sup…
The Influence of Insecure Attachment to Parents on Adolescents’ Suicidality
Insecure attachment has been identified as a risk factor for adolescent psychopathology and, consequently, for suicidal behavior. We aimed to highlight the relationship between the attachment styles of adolescents and their suicidal behavior and to investigate the role of each parent in the suicidality pathway of adolescents. The sample consisted of 217 adolescent inpatients who were at the highest risk for suicidal behavior and who were hospital…
How Correctional Officers Experience Inmates Suicidal Behavior? – Qualitative Research and Development of The Model of a House
As first responders in prisons, correctional officers are more exposed to suicides than the general population. The aim of the study was to explore how they experience the suicidal behavior of inmates and how they cope with potential psychological consequences of these experiences. We conducted interviews with 11 male correctional officers working in 12-h shifts, and analysed the data using a grounded theory approach. Results were conceptualised …
Slovenian Validation of the Mental Health Literacy Scale (S-MHLS) on the General Population
The aim of the present validation study is to determine the psychometric properties of the Slovenian version of the Mental Health Literacy Scale. For this purpose, the factorial structure, internal consistency, cross-cultural, convergent and discriminant validity were assessed. The measure was translated and adapted to Slovenian context through a blind back-translation process. It was applied to a representative sample of the Slovenian adult popu…
Loneliness within the general population of Slovenia
BACKGROUND: While loneliness is recognized as a risk to mental and physical health, there is a lack of data covering a broad age range. This study used a Slovenian adult sample to investigate loneliness. AIMS: To examine levels of social, emotional and general loneliness within the general population. METHOD: ) = 16.18); 49.7% were men) was conducted in Slovenia by means of an online questionnaire, covering data on demographic variables and level…
Emotional and Social Loneliness as Predictors of Suicidal Ideation in Different Age Groups
Concerns, Positive Changes, and Suggestions for Psychological Support during Covid-19
Background: On 12 March 2020, Slovenia formally declared the presence of a pandemic of COVID-19 disease, followed by measures to stop the spread of the virus. Scope: The aim of this study was to explore how people experienced the progress of events related to the COVID-19 epidemic. Method: We conducted a general adult population survey by an online questionnaire that included—among others—three open-ended questions. Thematic analysis was applied …
A randomized controlled trial to improve psychological detachment from work and well-being among employees
https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN98347361 [May 19, 2020]
Comorbidity of Physical and Anxiety Symptoms in Adolescent
Physical disorders and anxiety are frequently comorbid. This study investigates the characteristics of physical disorders, self-rated heath, subjective well-being and anxiety in adolescents. Data were drawn from the Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe cohort study. From 11 countries 11,230 adolescents, aged 14−16 years were included. Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), WHO-5 Well-Being Index and five questions prepared for this study to…
Physical activity in European adolescents and associations with anxiety, depression and well-being
Bullying Victimization and Suicide Ideation and Behavior Among Adolescents in Europe
Attitudes within the general population towards seeking professional help in cases of mental distress
BACKGROUND: Although effective treatment is available for a variety of mental disorders, the treatment and help-seeking gap remains high. One of the main obstacles to help-seeking behaviour is prevailing stigmatizing attitudes. AIM: To examine attitudes within the general population towards seeking professional help in times of mental distress. METHODS: A representative general population survey ( N = 594) was conducted in Slovenia by means of an…
Effectiveness of Depression–Suicidal Behaviour Gatekeeper Training among police officers in three European regions
BACKGROUND: Gatekeeper training for community facilitators, to identify and respond to those at risk of suicide, forms an important part of multi-level community-based suicide prevention programmes. AIMS: This study examined the effects of gatekeeper training on attitudes, knowledge and confidence of police officers in dealing with persons at risk of suicide. METHODS: A total of 828 police officers across three European regions participated in a …
Pathological Internet Use and Risk-Behaviors among European Adolescents
Risk-behaviors are a major contributor to the leading causes of morbidity among adolescents and young people; however, their association with pathological Internet use (PIU) is relatively unexplored, particularly within the European context. The main objective of this study is to investigate the association between risk-behaviors and PIU in European adolescents. This cross-sectional study was conducted within the framework of the FP7 European Uni…
School-based suicide prevention programmes
Reading Books and Watching Films as a Protective Factor against Suicidal Ideation
Reading books and watching films were investigated as protective factors for serious suicidal ideation (SSI) in young people with low perceived social belonging. Cross-sectional and longitudinal (12-month) analyses were performed using data from a representative European sample of 3256 students from the "Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe" study. Low social belonging was associated to SSI. However, reading books and watching films modera…
Alcohol Consumption Patterns among Adolescents are Related to Family Structure and Exposure to Drunkenness within the Family
There is expedient evidence showing that differences in adolescent alcohol consumption and other risk-behaviour depend on both family structure and family member drunkenness exposure. Data were obtained among adolescents (N = 12,115, mean age 14.9 ± 0.89) in Austria, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy,Romania, Slovenia and Spain within the European Union'ss 7th Framework Programme funded project, 'Saving and Empowering Youn…
Adolescent subthreshold‐depression and anxiety
Background: Subthreshold‐depression and anxiety have been associated with significant impairments in adults. This study investigates the characteristics of adolescent subthreshold‐depression and anxiety with a focus on suicidality, using both categorical and dimensional diagnostic models. Methods: Data were drawn from the Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe (SEYLE) study, comprising 12,395 adolescents from 11 countries. Based on self‐repo…
Exploration of factors associated with social worker attitudes toward suicide
BACKGROUND: Social workers are expected to play important roles in suicide intervention. Caregiving behaviours of medical personnel to suicidal individuals have been reported to be influenced by their own attitudes toward suicide. In this context, only a limited number of studies have examined social workers' attitudes toward suicide. AIM: The purpose of this study was to explore associations between personal or occupational factors of social wor…
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Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe (Seyle)
The German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00000214
A Systematic Review of Scales That Measure Attitudes Toward Suicide
Background: Studies on attitudes toward suicide are of great interest to researchers worldwide. Although various instruments have been developed to measure attitudes toward suicide, psychometric properties of these instruments have not been systematically reviewed and organized. Aim: We aimed to identify valid, reliable and feasible attitudinal scales by systematically reviewing published articles on scale development and validation studies. In p…
Prevalence of pathological internet use among adolescents in E urope
AIMS: To investigate the prevalence of pathological internet use (PIU) and maladaptive internet use (MIU) among adolescents in 11 European countries in relation to demographic, social factors and internet accessibility. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: The 7th Framework European Union (EU) funded project, Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe (SEYLE), is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating interventions for risk behaviour…
Suicide prevention for youth - a mental health awareness program
Recommendations for enhancing the successes of mental health awareness programs are presented. Help and cooperation from schools, teachers, local politicians and other stakeholders will lead to more efficacious future programs
Adolescent subthreshold‐depression and anxiety
Background: Subthreshold‐depression and anxiety have been associated with significant impairments in adults. This study investigates the characteristics of adolescent subthreshold‐depression and anxiety with a focus on suicidality, using both categorical and dimensional diagnostic models. Methods: Data were drawn from the Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe (SEYLE) study, comprising 12,395 adolescents from 11 countries. Based on self‐repo…
Exploration of factors associated with social worker attitudes toward suicide
BACKGROUND: Social workers are expected to play important roles in suicide intervention. Caregiving behaviours of medical personnel to suicidal individuals have been reported to be influenced by their own attitudes toward suicide. In this context, only a limited number of studies have examined social workers' attitudes toward suicide. AIM: The purpose of this study was to explore associations between personal or occupational factors of social wor…
The Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe (Seyle) Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
US National Institute of Health (NIH) clinical trial registry (NCT00906620) and the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00000214)
Alcohol Consumption Patterns among Adolescents are Related to Family Structure and Exposure to Drunkenness within the Family
There is expedient evidence showing that differences in adolescent alcohol consumption and other risk-behaviour depend on both family structure and family member drunkenness exposure. Data were obtained among adolescents (N = 12,115, mean age 14.9 ± 0.89) in Austria, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy,Romania, Slovenia and Spain within the European Union'ss 7th Framework Programme funded project, 'Saving and Empowering Youn…
School-based suicide prevention programmes
Reading Books and Watching Films as a Protective Factor against Suicidal Ideation
Reading books and watching films were investigated as protective factors for serious suicidal ideation (SSI) in young people with low perceived social belonging. Cross-sectional and longitudinal (12-month) analyses were performed using data from a representative European sample of 3256 students from the "Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe" study. Low social belonging was associated to SSI. However, reading books and watching films modera…
Effectiveness of Depression–Suicidal Behaviour Gatekeeper Training among police officers in three European regions
BACKGROUND: Gatekeeper training for community facilitators, to identify and respond to those at risk of suicide, forms an important part of multi-level community-based suicide prevention programmes. AIMS: This study examined the effects of gatekeeper training on attitudes, knowledge and confidence of police officers in dealing with persons at risk of suicide. METHODS: A total of 828 police officers across three European regions participated in a …
Pathological Internet Use and Risk-Behaviors among European Adolescents
Risk-behaviors are a major contributor to the leading causes of morbidity among adolescents and young people; however, their association with pathological Internet use (PIU) is relatively unexplored, particularly within the European context. The main objective of this study is to investigate the association between risk-behaviors and PIU in European adolescents. This cross-sectional study was conducted within the framework of the FP7 European Uni…
Physical activity in European adolescents and associations with anxiety, depression and well-being
Bullying Victimization and Suicide Ideation and Behavior Among Adolescents in Europe
Attitudes within the general population towards seeking professional help in cases of mental distress
BACKGROUND: Although effective treatment is available for a variety of mental disorders, the treatment and help-seeking gap remains high. One of the main obstacles to help-seeking behaviour is prevailing stigmatizing attitudes. AIM: To examine attitudes within the general population towards seeking professional help in times of mental distress. METHODS: A representative general population survey ( N = 594) was conducted in Slovenia by means of an…
Comorbidity of Physical and Anxiety Symptoms in Adolescent
Physical disorders and anxiety are frequently comorbid. This study investigates the characteristics of physical disorders, self-rated heath, subjective well-being and anxiety in adolescents. Data were drawn from the Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe cohort study. From 11 countries 11,230 adolescents, aged 14−16 years were included. Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), WHO-5 Well-Being Index and five questions prepared for this study to…
Concerns, Positive Changes, and Suggestions for Psychological Support during Covid-19
Background: On 12 March 2020, Slovenia formally declared the presence of a pandemic of COVID-19 disease, followed by measures to stop the spread of the virus. Scope: The aim of this study was to explore how people experienced the progress of events related to the COVID-19 epidemic. Method: We conducted a general adult population survey by an online questionnaire that included—among others—three open-ended questions. Thematic analysis was applied …
A randomized controlled trial to improve psychological detachment from work and well-being among employees
https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN98347361 [May 19, 2020]
Loneliness within the general population of Slovenia
BACKGROUND: While loneliness is recognized as a risk to mental and physical health, there is a lack of data covering a broad age range. This study used a Slovenian adult sample to investigate loneliness. AIMS: To examine levels of social, emotional and general loneliness within the general population. METHOD: ) = 16.18); 49.7% were men) was conducted in Slovenia by means of an online questionnaire, covering data on demographic variables and level…
Emotional and Social Loneliness as Predictors of Suicidal Ideation in Different Age Groups
How Correctional Officers Experience Inmates Suicidal Behavior? – Qualitative Research and Development of The Model of a House
As first responders in prisons, correctional officers are more exposed to suicides than the general population. The aim of the study was to explore how they experience the suicidal behavior of inmates and how they cope with potential psychological consequences of these experiences. We conducted interviews with 11 male correctional officers working in 12-h shifts, and analysed the data using a grounded theory approach. Results were conceptualised …
Slovenian Validation of the Mental Health Literacy Scale (S-MHLS) on the General Population
The aim of the present validation study is to determine the psychometric properties of the Slovenian version of the Mental Health Literacy Scale. For this purpose, the factorial structure, internal consistency, cross-cultural, convergent and discriminant validity were assessed. The measure was translated and adapted to Slovenian context through a blind back-translation process. It was applied to a representative sample of the Slovenian adult popu…
The Influence of Insecure Attachment to Parents on Adolescents’ Suicidality
Insecure attachment has been identified as a risk factor for adolescent psychopathology and, consequently, for suicidal behavior. We aimed to highlight the relationship between the attachment styles of adolescents and their suicidal behavior and to investigate the role of each parent in the suicidality pathway of adolescents. The sample consisted of 217 adolescent inpatients who were at the highest risk for suicidal behavior and who were hospital…
Media Portrayals of Suicide's Risk and Protective Factors in Slovenia (1959 – 1999)
This study examined the historical shifts in Slovenian public attitudes towards suicide by analyzing media coverage in two major Slovenian newspapers from 1959 to 1999. We conducted a database search and analyzed 1,785 relevant articles from an initial pool of 13,042 hits. Our findings reveal that the media reported more frequently on risk factors for suicide than on protective factors across the decades. The most frequently mentioned risk factor…
Media Coverage of Suicidal Behaviour in the Context of Slovenian independence
Slovenia was part of Yugoslavia and became independent in 1991 after a ten-day war. Slovenia had the highest suicide rate of all the member states of Yugoslavia. All young men in Yugoslavian states served the military out of their home state and some soldiers returned in a coffin because of suicide. This, among other factors, was the trigger for the discussion about independence, in which Slovenian newspapers played a part. Suicide rates tend to …
Medicine (25 works) · Psychology (25 works) · Psychiatry (22 works) · Clinical Psychology (15 works) · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies (15 works) · Mental health (14 works) · Poison control (14 works) · Suicide prevention (12 works) · Environmental health (11 works) · Social Psychology (9 works)