The translation, reliability, and construct validity of the social role participation questionnaire for people with rheumatoid arthritis

The social participation of people with rheumatoid arthritis is assessed using the Social Role Participation Questionnaire. The aim of this study was to translate the Social Role Participation Questionnaire into the Serbian language, and to investigate its reliability and validity for Serbian people with rheumatoid arthritis. Questionnaires were satisfactorily completed by 126 participants with rheumatoid arthritis, during 2021. Test-retest reliability, internal consistency reliability, and construct validity of the Serbian version of the Social Role Participation Questionnaire were evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient, Cronbach’s alpha, and Spearman’s correlation coefficient, respectively. Some single item scores showed floor and/or ceiling effects. This was particularly evident in the physical difficulty items, which showed a floor effect in 20-80% of participants. The high intraclass correlation coefficient score (0.913–0.959) suggested a very high test-retest reliability. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, ranging from 0.706 to 0.926, was reliable for the majority of internal consistency. With the exception of the Social Role Participation Questionnaire subscale role importance at the first measurement, the construct validity of this instrument was confirmed. In assessing the social participation of Serbian people with rheumatoid arthritis, the Serbian translation of the Social Role Participation Questionnaire is a trustworthy and valid instrument

Play in Children with Autism – Parents and Professionals’ Perception

Play is a central activity of childhood that provides children with enjoyment and stimulates the development of creativity. It helps them better understand the world around them, express their emotions, refine motor skills, and develop essential life skills. The aim of this study is to determine whether there is a difference in how parents and professionals perceive the play of children with autism. The sample included parents of children with autism (N = 60) and professionals (N = 60) employed in kindergartens and schools attended by these children. The children's ages ranged from four years and eight months to nine years (AS = 7.70; SD = 1.03). To assess play performance, the My Child’s Play – Parent Questionnaire (MCP; Schneider & Rosenblum, 2014) was used. The results showed statistically significant differences in play perception between parents and professionals in the subscales of Interpersonal Relationships and Social Participation (p < 0.05), Executive Functions (p < 0.05), and Play Choices and Preferences (p < 0.05). Parents perceived their child’s engagement in play more positively, including their ability to join play, adapt to new play partners, maintain focus, stay organized, persist, and overcome frustrating situations that may arise during play

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Green: How Different Domains of Traditional, Alternative, and Complementary Medicine Use Are Rooted in an Irrational Mindset

Despite insufficient evidence base for some of its practices, traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (TCAM) use is rapidly growing; psychological roots of this trend are still under-studied. Based on previous research, input from TCAM practitioners, and content analysis of online media, we developed a comprehensive instrument to measure the use of TCAM and administered it to an online community sample (N=583). Factor analysis indicated four domains of TCAM use, in line with theoretical taxonomies: Alternative medical systems, Natural/biological products and practices, New Age medicine, and Rituals/Customs, all converging toward a common tendency. Irrational beliefs and cognitive biases, especially magical health beliefs and naturalness bias, predicted unique variance in both TCAM attitudes and overall TCAM use, above sociodemographic variables, reported health status, and ideological beliefs. Furthermore, each domain of TCAM use, although differing slightly in sociodemographic/psychological profile, was consistently associated with an irrational mindset, even after controlling for other factors. This provides strong evidence for exploring psychological susceptibility to the use of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine

Assistive Technology and Capacity Building for Inclusive Education: the Experience of Resource Centers in Serbia

As part of the effort to implement systematic change and promote inclusive educational practices, the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Serbia and UNICEF Serbia, with EU support, aimed to strengthen inclusive education by enhancing the capacity of 13 Resource Centers to deliver assistive technology (AT) services. Comprehensive training programs were co-developed with national and international experts and delivered to 490 staff members across three progressive modules: BASIC, ADVANCED 1, and ADVANCED 2. These programs introduced foundational AT concepts, provided advanced practical skills, and addressed policy alignment for experienced practitioners. Participants reported significant knowledge gains and increased confidence in AT service delivery, with practical applications fostering stronger networks and consistent practices among Resource Centers. The initiative highlights the importance of tailored, collaborative training in achieving systemic improvements in inclusive education, offering a scalable model for similar efforts in other contexts

The role of depression and quality of life in psychological flexibility among patients with epilepsy

Aims: To assess symptoms of depression and quality of life (QoL) as predictors of psychological flexibility in patients with epilepsy. Specifically, the study aims to explore how depressive symptoms and different dimensions of QoL can affect the ability of epilepsy patients to adapt to challenges and engage in flexible thinking and behavior. Method: Patients were recruited during their regular appointments at the Department for Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology of the Institute of Mental Health in Belgrade (N = 104, M age = 39.84, SD = 13.60, 66.3% were female, 33.7% were male). The study utilized several self-assessment instruments, including the Psychological Flexibility in Epilepsy Questionnaire (PFEQ), the Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E), and the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31). Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected via interviews and patient records. Results: To test the predictions, a hierarchical multiple regression was conducted, with two blocks of predictors and one criterion being psychological flexibility. The first block included subscale scores from QOLIE-31. In block two, symptoms of depression in patients with epilepsy were included as predictors. The model including both sets of predictors (QOLIE31 subscales and NDDI-E depression scale) was statistically significant, F(8, 95) = 138.93, p < .001, accounting for 41.8% of the variance in psychological flexibility scores (R² = .418). Among the QOLIE-31 subscales, only Seizure Worry (β = -0.24, p < .05) and Social Functioning (β = -0.38, p < .01) were significant negative predictors of psychological flexibility. Depression symptoms showed a positive relationship with psychological (in)flexibility (β = 0.21, p < .05). However, the inclusion of depression symptoms contributed a small additional variance of 2.8% to the model (ΔR² = 0.028), indicating a modest incremental effect on the prediction of psychological flexibility. Discussion: Concerns about seizures and diminished functioning in the social sphere have been identified as significant factors contributing to a decrease in psychological flexibility. Furthermore, patients with more severe depressive symptoms experience greater difficulty in fully engaging with the present moment and exhibit a more rigid dominance of certain psychological processes. Therefore, a psychological approach that promotes acceptance, mindfulness, and value-based actions may play a significant role in adopting a new perspective on seizures, improving social life, and alleviating depressive symptoms, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), thereby enhancing psychological flexibility. Conclusions: Quality of life and depression play a significant role in predicting psychological flexibility in patients with epilepsy

Attitudes of parents of children with communication disorders toward augmentative and alternative communication

Roditeljski stavovi imaju ključnu ulogu u uspešnoj primeni augmentativne i alterna tivne komunikacije (Augmentative and Alternative Communication – AAC) kod dece sa poremećajima komunikacije. Cilj istraživanja je bio da se utvrde stavovi roditelja prema AAC, njihova informisanost, spremnost za primenu, prepreke u korišćenju AAC, kao i emocionalni i društveni faktori koji utiču na percepciju i upotrebu AAC. U istraživanju je učestvovalo 50 roditelja dece sa poremećajima komunikacije. Korišćena je posebno konstruisana skala stavova. Analiza rezultata je pokazala da roditelji imaju umereno pozitivan stav prema AAC (M = 3.83, SD = 0.76). Utvrđeno je da ispitanici imaju umeren nivo informisanosti i svesti o AAC metodama, kao i da postoji potreba za dodatnom edukacijom. Takođe, pokazano je da je nedostatak vremena za obuku bio najizraženija barijera za primenu AAC. Roditelji devojčica su imali pozitivnije stavove prema AAC u poređenju sa roditeljima dečaka, dok su roditelji dece sa autizmom percipirali više barijera u odnosu na roditelje dece sa drugim dijagnozama. Rezultati istraživanja ukazuju na potrebu za dodatnom edukacijom roditelja i boljom sistemskom podrškom kako bi se olakšala implementacija AAC. Dalja istraživanja bi trebalo da ispitaju uticaj drugih faktora na stavove roditelja prema AAS, kao i spremnost za korišćenje iste.Parents’ attitudes play a key role in the successful application of Augmentative and Alterna tive Communication (AAC) in children with communication disorders. The aim of the research was to examine parents’ attitudes about AAC, as well as their level of awareness, readiness for implemen tation, barriers to using AAC, as well as emotional and social factors that influence the perception and use of AAC. 50 parents of children with communication disorders participated in the research. A specially constructed attitude scale was used. Analysis of the results showed that parents have a moderately posi tive attitude towards AAC (M = 3.83, SD = 0.76). It was determined that the respondents have a moderate level of information and awareness about AAC methods, as well as that there is a need for additional education. It was also shown that lack of time for training was the most pronounced barriers to the im plementation of AAC. Parents of girls had more positive attitudes towards AAC compared to parents of boys, while parents of children with autism perceived more barriers compared to parents of children with other diagnoses. Research results point to the need for additional parent education and better systemic support to facilitate the implementation of AAC. Further research should examine the influence of other factors on parents’ attitudes and willingness to use AAC

Criminological and victimological characteristics of femicide in Serbia and social response

Violence against women, including domestic and intimate partner violence, is a serious violation of human rights and a public health issue, resulting in a wide range of psychological, physical, economic, and social consequences. The most severe form of violence against women is femicide. Femicide refers to “gender-based killing,” i.e., the intentional killing of a woman because she is a woman. The most common form of femicide occurs in domestic and intimate partner contexts. According to the World Health Organization data, about 38% of women killed globally are victims of partner homicide (WHO, 2017). Global studies show that women represent approximately 20% of all homicide victims worldwide, but nearly half of those killed in domestic and intimate partner contexts, and as many as 66% of all victims of partner homicides (UNODC & UN Women, 2023; UNODC, 2023). In Serbia, according to available data, the number of women killed by partners or other family members has remained relatively stable over the years, despite significant legislative and institutional reforms. Based on this, the paper aims to analyse certain criminological and victimological characteristics of femicide and critically examine the existing mechanisms of social response to violence against women in general, and femicide in particular. The research is based on an analysis of femicide data in Serbia available in the Femicide Memorial database, maintained by the Autonomous Women’s Centre. The analysis covers a ten-year period (2014–2023). The conclusion offers proposals for potential prevention and reduction of femicide, particularly those cases resulting from prolonged abuse of women

Language comprehension and verbal memory in elderly people

Uvod: Smatra se da kod normalnog procesa starenja može doći do slabljenja određenih jezičkih i kognitivnih funkcija. Cilj: Cilj ovog rada je utvrđivanje sposobnosti razumevanja jezika i verbalnog pamćenja kod starijih ljudi. Metod: Uzorak se sastoji od 50 ispitanika, podeljenih u tri grupe. Prve dve grupe činili su stariji ispitanici, od kojih prvu grupu 19 ispitanika od 66 do 75 godina, a drugu 15 ispitanika koji su imali od 76 do 85 godina. Kontrolnu grupu činilo je 16 ispitanika od 30 do 60 godina. Razumevanje jezika procenjeno je Token testom (TT), a verbalno pamćenje Rejovim testom verbalnog pamćenja (RAVLT). Rezultati: Stariji ispitanici koji su imali od 76 do 85 godina bili su značajno lošiji na TT u odnosu na ispitanike od 66 do 75 godina (U = 79.50), kao i u odnosu na kontrolnu grupu (U = 50.50). Obe grupe starijih ispitanika bile su statistički značajno lošije na svih pet ponavljanja liste reči RAVLT u poređenju sa ispitanicima kontrolne grupe. Takođe, mlađa grupa starijih ispitanika (od 66 do 75 godina) postigla je bolje rezultate na prva četiri ponavljanja liste reči u poređenju sa starijom grupom (od 76 do 85 godina). Nije utvrđena statistički značajna povezanost između postignuća na TT i RAVLT-u ni u jednoj grupi starijih ispitanika. Zaključak: Starije osobe imaju slabija postignuća na testu razumevanja jezika i verbalnom pamćenju u poređenju sa ispitanicima mlađeg životnog doba. Sa povećanjem godina života uočava se pad performansi na zadacima razumevanja jezika i verbalnog pamćenja.Introduction. In normal aging, certain language and cognitive functions may decline. Objective. The aim of this paper was to determine the ability of language comprehension and verbal memory in older people with normal aging. Method. The sample consisted of 50 respondents divided into three groups. The first two groups included older respondents. One group consisted of 19 respondents aged 66 to 75, while the other group included 15 respondents aged 76 to 85. The control group consisted of 16 respondents aged 30 to 60. The Token Test (TT) was used to assess language comprehension, and the Ray Auditory Verbal Memory Test (RAVLT) assessed verbal memory. Results. Elderly respondents aged 76 to 85 years were significantly worse on the TT compared to those aged 66 to 75 years (U = 79.50) and the control group (U = 50.50). Both groups of older respondents were significantly worse on all five repetitions of the RAVLT word list compared to the control group. Also, the younger group of elderly respondents (66-75 years old) achieved better scores on the first four repetitions of the word list compared to the older group (7685 years old). No statistically significant correlation was found between achievement on the TT and the RAVLT in any group of older respondents. Conclusion. Elderly people showed a decline in language comprehension and verbal memory. The decline is more prominent with ageing

Rani tretman i predškolsko vaspitanje dece s intelektualnom ometenošću

Уџбеник Рани третман и предшколско васпитање деце с интелектуалном ометеношћу намењен је пре свега студентима Факултета за специјалну едукацију и рехабилитацију студијског програма Специјална едукација и рехабилитација особа с тешкоћама у менталном развоју, као и свим другим студентима и појединцима који су заинтересовани за ову тематику. Садржај је усаглашен са силабусом предмета истоименог назива који се изучава у оквиру студијског програма. Главни циљ уџбеника је да се студенти упознају с основним научним, теоријским и практичним информацијама о раном третману и предшколском васпитању деце с интелектуалном ометеношћу предшколског узраста*. Покушало се да се на једном месту, на кратак, сажет и разумљив начин обраде најзначајнији појмови и постави основа за даље истраживање стручне литературе у области раног третмана деце с интелектуалном ометеношћу. Програми ране интервенције који почињу у прве три године живота ефикасни су за децу која су социјално или биолошки изложена ризику од кашњења у развоју. То кашњење може да се односи на било коју област развоја: самопомоћ, моторику, когницију, комуникацију или социјалне вештине. У овом уџбенику приказана је динамична и променљива природа раног развоја детета, као и тешкоће у постизању циљева, које су специфичне за когнитивни дисбаланс у раном детињству. Уџбеник је подељен на пет поглавља. Први део уџбеника усмерен је на упознавање са дефинисањем и садржајем ране интервенције, који је променио фокус са пружања услуга усмерених на децу на услуге фокусиране на породицу и проактивну подршку породицама у пружању могућности за активно учење кроз свакодневне рутине. Садржај првог поглавља неопходан је за јасније разумевање материје која ће се разматрати у осталим поглављима. У другом поглављу обрађује се процена способности у оквиру ране интервенције и описују актуелни алати који се данас у свету и Србији користе у том поступку. Главне развојне тачке детета као оријентири развојног тока детаљно су описане у трећем поглављу и указано је на конкретне разлоге за забринутост уколико постоје одступања у развојној трајекторији. У четвртом поглављу детаљно се обрађује садржај индивидуалног образовног плана који се примењује у предшколским установама у Србији код деце с интелектуалном ометеношћу. Овај део обогаћен је примерима урађених индивидуалних образовних планова који су приказани у Прилозима, који се налазе у последњем делу уџбеника. У петом, завршном одељку, истиче се значај игре у животу детета вртићког узраста, као и специфичности игровних активности детета с интелектуалном ометеношћу. Ауторка се нада да ће базични термини, појашњења и примери из овог уџбеника представљати трајну основу знања будућих дефек- толога-олигофренолога, садашњих студената који тек улазе у свет проучавања ране интервенције и њених програма. Напослетку, ауторка изражава особиту благодарност за све будуће сугестије и савете, као и за спремност и отвореност да се укаже на она питања о којима би требало посебно повести рачуна у наредним допунама

Disciplinary Offenses of Inmates Serving Long-term Sentences

Uvod: Zatvori predstavljaju visokostrukturirane ustanove u pogledu održavanja reda i bezbednosti. Glavni cilj izvršenja zatvorske kazne je uticanje na osuđene da se uključe u životne tokove nakon izvršenja zatvorske kazne, te da u budućnosti ne vrše krivična dela. Kako se određen broj osuđenih u zatvorima ne pridržava pravila ponašanja i krši disciplinu, u pogledu održavanja reda i bezbednosti i tretmanskog delovanja, pored mnogobrojnih aktivnosti koristi se i disciplinsko kažnjavanje. Cilj: Istraživanje ima za cilj ispitivanje povezanosti sociodemografskih, kriminoloških i penoloških karakteristika osuđenih na dugovremene kazne zatvora sa vršenjem disciplinskih prestupa. Metode: Uzorkom je obuhvaćeno 131 osuđeno lice iz Kazneno-popravnog zavoda u Beogradu. Dužina izrečene kazne je od pet do 40 godina (M = 24.18; SD = 10.40) i jedan osuđeni se nalazio na izvršenju kazne doživotnog zatvora. Godine starosti osuđenih su od 23 do 71 (M = 42.70; SD = 9.30). U ispitivanom uzorku je bilo 64.9% ispitanika koji su ranije osuđivani, a broj ranijih osuda je od nula do 11 (M = 2.18; SD = 2.61). Podaci su prikupljeni analizom službene dokumentacije. Rezultati: Dobijeni nalazi pokazuju da postoje razlike između osuđenih koji vrše i koji ne vrše disciplinske prestupe u pogledu godina starosti, nivoa obrazovanja, vrste izvršenog krivičnog dela, dužine izrečene kazne, utvrđenog rizika od recidivizma i učestvovanja u tretmanu. Zaključak: Dobijeni rezultati mogu biti od značaja u pogledu koncipiranja penalnog tretmana koji odgovara individualnim karakteristikama osuđenih, a sve to u cilju uticanja na smanjenje nedoličnog ponašanja tokom izvršenja kazne. Dodatno, dobijeni nalazi ukazuju na značaj razvijanja i održavanja motivacije osuđenih da učestvuju u tretmanskim aktivnostima tokom izvršenja kazne.Introduction: Prisons represent highly structured institutions in terms of maintaining order and security. The primary goal of serving a prison sentence is to help convicted individuals reintegrate into society after their release and to prevent future criminal behavior. Since a certain number of inmates do not adhere to behavioral rules and violate discipline, disciplinary sanctions are employed alongside various activities to maintain order, security, and treatment efforts. Aim: The aim of the research is to examine the relationship between the sociodemographic, criminological, and penological characteristics of inmates serving long-term sentences and the commission of disciplinary offenses. Methods: The sample included 131 convicted individuals from the Correctional Facility in Belgrade. The length of the imposed sentences ranged from five to 40 years (M = 24.18; SD = 10.40), with one inmate serving a life sentence. The ages of the inmates ranged from 23 to 71 years (M = 42.70, SD = 9.30). In the sample, 64.9% of participants had prior convictions, with the number of prior convictions ranging from 0 to 11 (M = 2.18, SD = 2.61). Data were collected through the analysis of official documentation. Results: The findings indicate that there are differences between inmates who commit disciplinary offenses and those who do not, concerning age, education level, type of committed crime, length of sentence, assessed risk of recidivism, and participation in treatment programs. Conclusion: The results obtained may be significant in designing penal treatment that aligns with the individual characteristics of inmates, with the aim of reducing inappropriate behavior during the sentence. Additionally, the findings underscore the importance of developing and maintaining inmates' motivation to participate in treatment activities while they are serving their sentences