THE INFLUENCE OF EMOTIONAL STATES ON THE EATING HABITS OF ADOLESCENTS

Na prehrambene navike adolescenata bitno mogu utjecati različita emocionalna stanja koja dovode do poremećaja u hranjenju, posebno među mladima od 15 do 19 godina. Osnovni cilj ovoga istraživanja, provedena na uzorku od 915 učenika splitskih srednjih škola, bio je ispitati povezanost prehrambenih navika i emocionalnih stanja adolescenata, odnosno ispitati učestalost potencijalno rizičnih ponašanja i stavova bitnih za razvoj poremećaja hranjenja. Istraživanje je pokazalo povezanost određenih emocionalnih stanja i prejedanja, i to u većoj mjeri kod učenica nego kod učenika. Naime, emocije i emocionalna stanja za koje smo utvrdili da su u većoj mjeri povezani s prejedanjem jesu: potištenost, tuga, stres, samoća, ljutnja, dosada, pa čak i sreća. Kod sudionika istraživanja uočene su različite emocionalne promjene, posebice negativna emocionalna stanja. Podatci dobiveni u ovome istraživanju mogu biti polazište javnozdravstvenim projektima zaštite i unaprjeđenja mentalnoga zdravlja adolescenata u odgojno-obrazovnome sustavu, kao i projektima udruga civilnoga društva.Eating habits of adolescents can be significantly influenced by different emotional states, leading to eating disorders, especially among young people aged 15 to 19. The main objective of this research conducted on a sample of 915 students of secondary schools in Split, was to investigate the link between eating habits and emotional states of adolescents, that is, to investigate the frequency of potentially high-risk behaviors and attitudes significant for the development of an eating disorder. The research has shown that there is a link between certain emotional states and overeating, and that this link is more pronounced in female than in male students. We have concluded that the following are the emotions and emotional states predominately associated with overeating: lower mood, sadness, stress, loneliness, anger, boredom and even happiness. Different emotional changes have been observed among the research participants, especially negative emotional states. Data obtained from this research can be a starting point for public health projects aimed at protection and improvement of mental health of adolescents in the educational system, as well as for projects of the civil society organizations

Primjena ilustrativnih tehnika u poučavanju djece i mladih o emocijama

The comic book art technique is rarely analyzed as an expressive technique within the field of mental health and prevention of behavioral problems of children and young people. That is why the aim of this study is directed towards analyzing the potentials of comic book art as an expressive technique. The evaluation results of the “Mostly Sunny” project were used, and qualitative research methods were applied. The data were obtained through evaluation questionnaires, and group conversations were analyzed on a descriptive level and through thematic framework analysis. The quantitative and qualitative indicators show coherence in the impressions of the analyzed materials. Through thematic framework analysis, where three subjects were defined beforehand (the usefulness of the materials, understanding the applicability of the materials, understanding the comic’s messages), 21 dimensions were recognized. Adolescents are known for their difficulties in verbalizing their thoughts and emotions. Various approaches have been used in dealing with mental health problems of adolescents. A visual approach to the issue of mental health, such as the use of comic books, has shown positive results. The evaluation of young people’s answers has proven that this method was a way for them to get in touch with their own feelings and to talk about them without having to be afraid of what others might think. This may also be a good approach for young people in the future because it provides a safe environment, which is something different in the context/field of working with a specific and vulnerable population. By analyzing these dimensions, it is possible to conclude that the comic created through this project is easy to use because it is short and eventful, it allows the participants of the program to work together on their experiences which initiates developmental processes such as emotional literacy or the integration of other people’s messages about themselves.Umjetnička tehnika stripa rijetko je analizirana kao ekspresivna tehnika unutar polja mentalnog zdravlja i prevencije problema u ponašanju djece i mladih. Zbog toga je cilj ove studije usmjeren prema analiziranju potencijala umjetnosti stripa kao ekspresivne tehnike. Koristili su se rezultati evaluacije projekta Većinom sunčano i primijenjene kvalitativne istraživačke metode. Podatci su dobiveni putem evaluacijskih upitnika; grupni razgovori analizirani su na deskriptivnoj razini i putem tematskog okvira analize. Kvantitativni i kvalitativni indikatori pokazuju koherentnost u dojmovima analiziranih materijala. Analizom tematskog okvira, s tri unaprijed definirane teme (korisnost materijala, razumijevanje primjenjivosti materijala i razumijevanje pouka stripa), utvrđena je 21 dimenzija. Za adolescente su svojstvene teškoće pri verbaliziranju misli i emocija. U bavljenju problemima mentalnog zdravlja adolescenata koristili su se razni pristupi. Vizualni pristup problemu mentalnog zdravlja, poput upotrebe stripova, pokazao je pozitivne rezultate. Evaluacija odgovora mladih ljudi potvrdila je ovu metodu kao način na koji se mogu povezati s vlastitim osjećajima i razgovarati o njima bez straha od tuđeg mišljenja. To bi također mogao biti dobar pristup za mlade u budućnosti jer daje sigurnu okolinu, što je nešto drugačije u kontekstu/polju rada sa specifičnom i ranjivom populacijom. Analizirajući te dimenzije, moguće je zaključiti da je strip stvoren u ovom projektu lak za upotrebu jer je kratak i sadržajan; dopušta sudionicima programa zajednički rad na izražavanju njihovih iskustava koja potiču razvojne procese poput emocionalne pismenosti ili integracije poruka drugih ljudi o njima samima

“Connect through colour, get closer through pictures”- art therapy in the protection and improvement of mental health of children and young people with developmental difficulties

U ovom radu prikazuje se korištenje art-terapije u svrhu očuvanja i unapređenja mentalnog zdravlja djece i mladih s teškoćama. Stigmatizacija s kojom se često susreću narušava njihovo mentalno zdravlje dok uspješna socijalna integracija djeluje kao zaštitni faktor u očuvanju i unapređenju mentalnog zdravlja. S tim ciljem proveden je projekt “Poveži se bojom, približi se slikom” u kojem su sudjelovala djeca i mladi s teškoćama, kao i njihovi vršnjaci tipičnog razvoja. U sklopu projekta provedeno je istraživanje čiji je cilj bio ispitati uspješnost metode art-terapije kao načina senzibilizacije djece i mladih, učenika osnovnih i srednjih škola, za potrebe i mogućnosti osoba s teškoćama te poticanja inkluzivnog promišljanja i djelovanja. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo 359 učenika/učenica s područja Splitsko-dalmatinske županije, ujedno i sudionika/-ica projekta. Korišten je anketni upitnik koji se sastojao od pitanja otvorenog i zatvorenog tipa te su prikupljeni i analizirani kvalitativni i kvantitativni podaci. Rezultati su pokazali da art-terapija korištena kao alat za socijalnu interakciju pridonosi povećanju stupnja senzibilizacije i prihvaćanja djece s teškoćama od strane njihovih vršnjaka bez teškoća. Naposljetku dvosmjerna socijalizacija u poticajnom okruženju posljedično pridonosi zaštiti i unapređenju mentalnog zdravlja djece s teškoćama.In this paper, the use of art therapy to maintain and improve the mental health of children and young people with disabilities is described. The stigmatisation that such young people often encounter diminishes their mental health, while successful social integration maintains and develops their mental health. This has been shown in a study conducted within the project “Connect through colour, get closer through pictures”, in which the participants were children and young people with disabilities, as well as their peers without developmental disabilities. The fundamental aim of the project was to raise awareness and sensitivity of children from primary and secondary schools toward the problems, needs and abilities of people with disabilities, and to stimulate them to think and act in an inclusive manner. The research was carried out as part of a project in which 359 pupils from Split-Dalmatia County participated. A survey of open- and closed-ended questions was administered, after which qualitative and quantitative data were analysed. The results of this research showed that art therapy as a tool for social interaction contributes to the protection and improvement of mental health in children with disabilities, and increases sensitivity and acceptance from their peers without disabilities. The resulting two-way socialisation in the stimulating environment contributes to the protection and improvement of mental health of children with disabilities