Search the repository

Perceived psychological consequences of multiple overlapping crises in Slovenia : findings from a qualitative study
Eva Sedlašek, Meta Lavrič, Lucia Rojs, Polonca Borko, Vita Poštuvan, 2026, original scientific article

Abstract: Background Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, people in Slovenia have faced a series of overlapping crises at both global and national levels, including the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, rising economic costs, and major natural disasters. Although extensive quantitative research has examined pandemic-related mental health outcomes, comparatively little is known about how individuals subjectively perceive multiple overlapping crises, given the cumulative and interactive nature of contemporary crises – situations in which crises across multiple systems become causally entangled and mutually amplify their effects. This study aimed to explore the perceived psychological consequences of multiple overlapping crises among adults in Slovenia, guided by the polycrisis framework. Methods Using a qualitative research design based on Constructivist Grounded Theory, we conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews between June and November 2023 with 24 participants (16 women, 8 men; mean age 49 years, range 21–76). Interviews were audio-recorded, manually transcribed, and analyzed using ATLAS.ti 24 software. Analysis involved initial and focused coding, constant comparison, and analytic memo-writing, continuing until theoretical saturation was reached. A total of 274 quotations were coded into 16 final codes. Results Three analytical categories of perceived psychological consequences emerged: duration (short-term vs. long-term), valence (positive vs. negative), and level of impact (individual vs. societal). Short-term consequences were predominantly individual-level experiences tied to the acute pandemic period, including negative outcomes (e.g., stress, mental health decline, social polarization) and positive outcomes (e.g., increased time with close ones, time in nature, reduced pressure). Positive long-term consequences included closer relationships and increased gratitude; negative ones included a reduced sense of safety, distrust in authorities, weaker social ties, and a perceived decline in social cohesion. Conclusions Based on the analytical findings, we developed the Fortress Wall Model of Psychological Adaptation to Crisis, which conceptualizes the experience of compounding crises as a dynamic, phased psychological process. The findings underscore the need to address people’s emotional experiences during acute crisis phases and to maintain monitoring and support of psychological well-being beyond the acute period, as negative consequences – particularly heightened uncertainty, distrust, and a diminished sense of safety – persist long after crises subside and are intensified by subsequent stressors.
Keywords: polycrisis, psychological, consequences, qualitative research, Grounded theory, Slovenia
Published in RUP: 01.09.2026; Views: 196; Downloads: 4
Full text (927,33 KB)
This document has more files! More...

Positive body image is a pathway between nature contact and life satisfaction across 58 nations
Viren Swami, Martin Voracek, Stefan Stieger, Toivo Aavik, Hamed Abdollahpour Ranjbar, Sulaiman Olanrewaju Adebayo, Reza Afhami, Oli Ahmed, Annie Aimé, Marwan Akel, Mirjam Koprivnik, Vita Poštuvan, 2026, original scientific article

Abstract: Time spent in nature benefits human mental and physical well-being. However, much of the variance in out- comes of nature contact remains unexplained, suggesting that new mechanistic pathways need to be considered. Here, we tested a novel conceptual model linking nature contact with life satisfaction via pathways involving positive experiences of living in and experiencing the world through the physical self. Using data from the Body Image in Nature Survey (BINS; N = 50,363), representing respondents from 58 nations and speaking 36 different languages, we find that nature contact is associated with greater self-compassion and greater perceived resto- ration in nature, which in turn are associated with more positive body image. In addition, more positive body image is associated with greater life satisfaction. These associations were robust to sensitivity tests, generalised to all gender identities and age groups, and held individually in almost all national groups and languages. Although replications are needed, we propose that the materialities of natural environments help to link bodily experiences to the production and experience of well-being, a process that is largely stable across national groups.
Keywords: body image, connectedness to nature, perceived restoration, nature contact, life satisfaction, self-compassion
Published in RUP: 10.07.2026; Views: 367; Downloads: 10
Full text (2,95 MB)
This document has more files! More...

Kvalitativni vpogled v doživljanje, stiske in potrebe ljudi med epidemijo in po njej
Eva Sedlašek, Nina Krohne, Vita Poštuvan, 2025, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph

Keywords: epidemija, kvalitativna študija, Delfi študija, doživljanje, potrebe, varovalni dejavniki
Published in RUP: 14.04.2026; Views: 693; Downloads: 7
Full text (306,94 KB)
This document has more files! More...

Correction : Poštuvan et al. A lonelier world after COVID-19
Vita Poštuvan, Nina Krohne, Meta Lavrič, Vanja Gomboc, Diego De Leo, Lucia Rojs, 2025, other scientific articles

Abstract: Materials and Methods: A representative sample of 444 participants completed online questionnaires at four time points: 2019 (wave 0), 2021 (wave 1), 2022 (wave 2), and 2023 (wave 3). Results: The results show significant changes in the levels of well-being and emotional loneliness over these periods. In particular, emotional loneliness increased during the pandemic, followed by a later decrease. Well-being appeared to increase after pandemic-related restrictions diminished but decreased again one year later. No significant changes concerning social loneliness and suicidal ideation were observed. 2.2. Participants A stratified sample of the general population of Slovenia was included in this study (see Section 2.1). A total of 1189 participants took part in the study at the baseline (wave 0). Subsequent waves (1–3) were marked by a level of dropout (see Figure 1), leading to the final number of 444 participants. The flowchart of the sample procedure is illustrated in Figure 1. The total dropout rate from wave 0 to wave 3 was 62.66%. Considering the whole sample, gender distribution did not change during this study. There were 211 (47.52%) female and 233 (52.48%) male participants. The age characteristics changed during the years, as the sample aged. These data are presented in Table 1. 2.4. Statistical Analysis Additionally, pairwise comparisons between social and emotional loneliness within each wave were performed using Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc tests. Multivariate tests were used to evaluate effect sizes (partial η2) for these comparisons.
Keywords: COVID-19, loneliness, mental health, well-being, suicide
Published in RUP: 22.12.2025; Views: 1130; Downloads: 9
Full text (534,44 KB)
This document has more files! More...

Samomorilno vedenje mladostnikov : razvoj in implementacija preventivno-intervencijskih programov
2025, scientific monograph

Keywords: duševno zdravje, duševne stiske, samomorilno vedenje, dejavniki tveganja, varovalni dejavniki, projekti, izvajalci, kompetence, mladinske delavnice, metodika, elektronske knjige
Published in RUP: 16.12.2025; Views: 918; Downloads: 9
Full text (2,76 MB)
This document has more files! More...