The anisotropy of perceived distance: The eyes story

The aim of this study is to determine whether the eye position shift changes perceived distance, that is, whether kinesthetic information from eye muscles affects distance perception. Two experiments were done, in a dark room (reduced-cue situation), with 27 participants, psychology undergraduates. Participants had a task to match distances of three stimuli, on three viewing directions, 0, 30 and 60 deg rees relative to the body. Head and body of participants were fixed, and they changed viewing directions only by moving their eyes. Stimuli were 7c

Virtual architecture – Subjective experience of virtual and real objects

The subjective experience of various objects is usually investigated on photographs of objects, or in case of art, on artistic pictures, shown as digital photographs on a computer screen. Even when research is done on architectural objects, such as various types of buildings, as stimuli researchers usually use photographs of those objects. According to that, we might ask, would our subjective experience of certain objects change if we observe it as a real three-dimensional object or its two-dimensional projection on a photograph? In our experiment 46 psychology students estimated their subjective experience of 10 objects shown in four different presentations

Lost in projection – Implicit features experience of 3D architectural forms and their projections

The aim of our study was to investigate whether the experience of objects’ implicit features would change if we observe it as a real 3D object or as a photograph or a drawing. In our experiment 46 participants estimated their impression of 10 objects shown in four different presentations. As stimuli, we used 3D objects, their virtual reality models, photographs and drawings from four different viewing directions, created by architecture students. As a measure of implicit features experience we used 12 bipolar adjectives grouped into four factors (attractiveness, regularity, arousal, and calmness) and 3 adjectives forming aesthetic experience factor. Results show significant differences between types of object presentations on four factors of implicit features experience, but not on the aesthetic experience factor. Real 3D objects were experienced as more attractive and calm, while VR presentation showed reduced arousal than other presentation types. On regularity VR and real 3D objects were experienced as same and more regular then drawings and photographs

Values and subjective well-being in context of transition: Data from Serbia

Ovo istraživanje je imalo dva osnovna cilja: (1) ispitati da li se Švarcov model vrednosti (Schwartz et al., 2012) replikuje i na srpskom uzorku, i (2) ispitati intenzitet i smer povezanosti tih vrednosti sa kognitivnom i afektivnom komponentom subjektivne dobrobiti u specifičnom socijalnopolitičkom kontekstu koji Srbija, kao zemlja u tranziciji, predstavlja. Uzorkom je obuhvaćeno 412 odraslih ispitanika, prosečnog uzrasta M = 34,42 (SD =6,305). Koristili smo sledeće samoopisne mere: PVQ-RR (Schwartz, et al. 2012), skalu zadovoljstva životom (Diener, Emmons, Larsen & Griffin, 1985) i SIAB-PANAS (Novović, Mihić, 2008). Dobijeni rezultati pokazuju da se vrednosti postulirane revidiranim Švarcovim modelom adekvatno raspoređuju i na našem uzorku. Dobijene korelacije između tih vrednosti i komponenti subjektivne dobrobiti mogu se smatrati očekivanim i u skladu su sa perspektivom "zdravih vrednosti" o odnosu vrednosti i subjektivne dobrobiti. Na kraju, diskutovane su implikacije dobijenih rezultata.This research explores two main objectives: 1st is to examine whether the Schwartz's value theory (Schwartz et al., 2012) can be applied to the Serbian sample, and 2nd is to examine the intensity and the direction of the relation of those values with cognitive and affective components of subjective well-being in the specific socio-political context, which Serbia as a country in transition represents. The sample includes 412 adults, with the average age of M = 34.42 (SD = 6.305). The following self-description measures are used: the Portraits Values Questionnaire (PVQ-RR, Schwartz et al., 2012), The Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener, Emmons, Larsen & Griffin, 1985), and Serbian Inventory of Affect based on the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-X (SIAB-PANAS, Novović & Mihić, 2008). Gathered results demonstrate that the values established by the revised Schwartz's model are adequately organized in our sample. Obtained relations between those values and the subjective well-being components can be regarded as expected and in accordance with the healthy values perspective referring to the relation of values and SWB. Finally, the implications of the obtained results are discussed

Dropout at university level in Serbia: analysis of measurement, research findings, services and prevention measures

Dropout in higher education attracts great attention due to serious effects on an individual and on society. This is an exploratory study aimed at: analysing dropout measurement and tracking in the Serbian higher education, reviewing studies on dropout causes, and identifying available services and prevention measures. Various techniques are used to achieve these goals (statistics analysis, literature review, qualitative content analysis). Our results show that: 1. There are no accepted dropout definitions nor official statistics, but some rate estimate could be given; 2. Research is not systematic, but covers three major dropout factors (individual, socio-demo-graphic, studying conditions); 3. Services are sporadic and not visible enough; 4. Legislation reveals state interest in promoting higher education, but implemented measures are not adequate enough. We see establishment of the Unified Education Information System as an important step in precise dropout measurement. There is a need for flexible studying routes and increased financial support orientated more towards vulnerable student groups. International studies highlight the importance of intensification of teacher-student and peer interaction built in modern student-centred teaching practice. At the end, we advocate creating a new educational policy by combining two major frameworks in this field and relying on inclusive research

Flowers in the attic – adverse childhood experiences and their relations with life-outcome

This is an introductory abstract for other papers within this symposium, which are all part of the same study, Research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) in Serbia. ACE is a traumatic experience in one’s life occurring before the age of 18 that the person remembers as an adult. The purpose of this survey was to explore the prevalence of ACEs and their correlates on a sample of 18-65 years old in Serbia. We used multistage random sampling, with a stratified cluster sample in the first (187 settlements were sampled from 4 regions), and random sample in the second stage (a random-walk technique for sampling participants). The final sample consisted of 2792 respondents (57.4% females), interviewed face-to-face. Instrument package included: ACE International Questionnaire, Health Appraisal, Family Health History, Trauma Symptom Checklist, Benevolent Childhood experience, Experiences in Close Relationships- Revised, HEXACO, DELTA9, and Non-suicidal self-injury. Each ACE was represented by a binary score, in two ways: (1) any ACE score implies that participant had a specific event at least “once or twice”; (2) frequent ACE implies that participant had specific events “many times”. Factor analysis, principal axis with varimax rotation extracted three dimensions: violence (involvement in physical fight, bullying, community violence, physical abuse, collective violence, psychological abuse), neglect (depression in family, suicide in family, psychological neglect, sexual abuse and parental separation) and abuse (alcoholism in family, abuse of mother or father by the partner, incarceration of family member, drug abuse in family and physical neglect). If we use ACEs as predictors of various life events in multiple regression analysis, the highest prediction is gained for a number of suicidal attempts (R2 = .53, F = 2.38; df = 17, 36; p < 0.05) - more ACEs lead to more attempts, with psychological neglect as strongest predictor. Most frequent ACEs in Serbia are community violence (any 69.4%; frequent 37.7%), psychological abuse (any 43.7%; frequent 26.3%), and involvement in a physical fight (any 37.7%; frequent 19.7%). For comparison, physical abuse and domestic violence appeared more frequently in Serbia than in Wales study, while parent separation and sexual abuse appeared a bit more frequently in Wales sample. Possible higher prevalence of This is an introductory abstract for other papers within this symposium, which are all part of the same study, Research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) in Serbia. ACE is a traumatic experience in one’s life occurring before the age of 18 that the person remembers as an adult. The purpose of this survey was to explore the prevalence of ACEs and their correlates on a sample of 18-65 years old in Serbia. We used multistage random sampling, with a stratified cluster sample in the first (187 settlements were sampled from 4 regions), and random sample in the second stage (a random-walk technique for sampling participants). The final sample consisted of 2792 respondents (57.4% females), interviewed face-to-face. Instrument package included: ACE International Questionnaire, Health Appraisal, Family Health History, Trauma Symptom Checklist, Benevolent Childhood experience, Experiences in Close Relationships- Revised, HEXACO, DELTA9, and Non-suicidal self-injury. Each ACE was represented by a binary score, in two ways: (1) any ACE score implies that participant had a specific event at least “once or twice”; (2) frequent ACE implies that participant had specific events “many times”. Factor analysis, principal axis with varimax rotation extracted three dimensions: violence (involvement in physical fight, bullying, community violence, physical abuse, collective violence, psychological abuse), neglect (depression in family, suicide in family, psychological neglect, sexual abuse and parental separation) and abuse (alcoholism in family, abuse of mother or father by the partner, incarceration of family member, drug abuse in family and physical neglect). If we use ACEs as predictors of various life events in multiple regression analysis, the highest prediction is gained for a number of suicidal attempts (R2 = .53, F = 2.38; df = 17, 36; p < 0.05) - more ACEs lead to more attempts, with psychological neglect as strongest predictor. Most frequent ACEs in Serbia are community violence (any 69.4%; frequent 37.7%), psychological abuse (any 43.7%; frequent 26.3%), and involvement in a physical fight (any 37.7%; frequent 19.7%). For comparison, physical abuse and domestic violence appeared more frequently in Serbia than in Wales study, while parent separation and sexual abuse appeared a bit more frequently in Wales sample. Possible higher prevalence of This is an introductory abstract for other papers within this symposium, which are all part of the same study, Research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) in Serbia. ACE is a traumatic experience in one’s life occurring before the age of 18 that the person remembers as an adult. The purpose of this survey was to explore the prevalence of ACEs and their correlates on a sample of 18-65 years old in Serbia. We used multistage random sampling, with a stratified cluster sample in the first (187 settlements were sampled from 4 regions), and random sample in the second stage (a random-walk technique for sampling participants). The final sample consisted of 2792 respondents (57.4% females), interviewed face-to-face. Instrument package included: ACE International Questionnaire, Health Appraisal, Family Health History, Trauma Symptom Checklist, Benevolent Childhood experience, Experiences in Close Relationships- Revised, HEXACO, DELTA9, and Non-suicidal self-injury. Each ACE was represented by a binary score, in two ways: (1) any ACE score implies that participant had a specific event at least “once or twice”; (2) frequent ACE implies that participant had specific events “many times”. Factor analysis, principal axis with varimax rotation extracted three dimensions: violence (involvement in physical fight, bullying, community violence, physical abuse, collective violence, psychological abuse), neglect (depression in family, suicide in family, psychological neglect, sexual abuse and parental separation) and abuse (alcoholism in family, abuse of mother or father by the partner, incarceration of family member, drug abuse in family and physical neglect). If we use ACEs as predictors of various life events in multiple regression analysis, the highest prediction is gained for a number of suicidal attempts (R2 = .53, F = 2.38; df = 17, 36; p < 0.05) - more ACEs lead to more attempts, with psychological neglect as strongest predictor. Most frequent ACEs in Serbia are community violence (any 69.4%; frequent 37.7%), psychological abuse (any 43.7%; frequent 26.3%), and involvement in a physical fight (any 37.7%; frequent 19.7%). For comparison, physical abuse and domestic violence appeared more frequently in Serbia than in Wales study, while parent separation and sexual abuse appeared a bit more frequently in Wales sample. Possible higher prevalence of ACEs in our study might occur due to the context of the collective experience of wars, civil unrest, insecurity, etc.Knjiga rezimea / XXV naučni skup Empirijska istraživanja u psihologiji 29–31. mart 2019 The research was supported and fully funded by UNICEF, Serbi

THE IMPACT OF STRESS RELATED DISORDERS ON QUALITY OF LIFE

Background: Some new studies have shown a significant connection between post-traumatic stress disorder and impairment of the quality of life (QoL), whereas, to our knowledge, research on the connection between other disorders of the stress related group and quality of life do not exist. The objective of our study was to assess the connection between stress related disorders and the quality of life. Subjects and methods: We studied the quality of life in 160 subjects who have experienced certain stressogenic life events. Within the first group (80 subjects) a certain stress related disorder was diagnosed after a stressogenic life event. In the second group (80 subjects) none of the stress related disorders was developed after a stressogenic life event. The diagnosis was made based on the ICD-10 criteria; the stress was assessed by the Impact of Events Scale (IES) and QoL by the Manchester Short Assessment Quality of Life Scale (MANSA). Results: Persons in whom some stress related disorders were diagnosed had a lower quality of life compared to persons who experienced stress but did not develop a disorder (p<0.01). Conclusion: Given the long-term stressogenic situation in our country, which is still ongoing, we think that comprehensive measures of prevention, early diagnostics and efficient treatment of stress related disorders are necessary in order to improve the quality of life for the persons with these disorders and their families, but also for society as a whole

BURNOUT SYNDROME AMONG PHYSICIANS – THE ROLE OF PERSONALITY DIMENSIONS AND COPING STRATEGIES

Background: Burnout syndrome (BS) and stress-related disorders are frequent among medical specialists, but it has been suggested that some health workers are more prone to the BS than others. This study assessed the intensity of the BS among 3 groups of physicians: psychiatrists, general practitioners and surgeons and examined correlation both between the intensity of BS and physicians` personality dimensions as well as between the level of BS and stress coping strategies. Subjects and methods: The sample consisted of 160 physicians (70 general practitioners, 50 psychiatrists, 40 surgeons). The assessment was carried out by the Maslach Burnout Inventory, The Temperament and Character Inventory and Manual for the Ways of Coping Questionnaire. Results: Dimension of emotional exhaustion was the most prominent in general practitioners (F=5.546, df1=2, df2=156, p<0.01), while dimension of depersonalization was highest in surgeons (F=15.314, df1=2, df2=156, p<0.01), as well as lack of personal accomplishment (F=16.079, df1=2, df2=156, p<0.01). We found that the Harm Avoidance has lead to development of BS while Self-directedness and Cooperativeness were prominent in physicians with low level of BS. The escape-avoidance was in correlation with high depersonalization and lack of personal accomplishment while self-control was prominent in physicians with lower BS. Conclusion: The BS affects personal well-being and professional performance. It is important to identify individuals with a tendency towards its development, in order to undertake preventive measures such as stress management and improvement of the stress coping strategies