Electronic Library of Scientific Literature - © Academic Electronic Press



STUDIA PSYCHOLOGICA



Volume 43 / No. 3 / 2001


DRUGS IN THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC - SPREAD AND PUBLIC OPINION (TRENDS 1994-2000)

Darina OKÁLIOVÁ, Dana ŠOUCOVÁ, Ján LUHA

Institute for Public Opinion Research at the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, Dúbravská cesta 3, P.O.Box 18, 840 00 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: The paper presents a picture of the prevailing epidemiological situation as regards abuse of illegal drugs in Slovakia and public opinion on drug addiction in a comparable form since 1994. The research was carried out on three representative samples of respondents, viz. a group of Adult Citizens of Slovakia, one of Slovak Youth and the third of Bratislava' Youth - the last two aged 15 to 29 years. Prevalence of drug addiction was followed with the aid of several indicators: occurrence of drug addiction in the respondent's close milieu (family, residence, workplace, friends), the respondents' own experience with illegal drugs, his/her attitude toward drug abuse.

Key words: feeling of menace, prevalence of drug addiction, one's own experience with drug abuse, family background, connection with use of legalized drugs, willingness to take drugs, attitudes toward drug abuse, opinions on the state's anti-drug policy, opinions on drug legalization

pp. 171-180


THE FUTURE OF DRUG PREVENTION ORIENTED TO YOUNG PEOPLE - THE NECESSITY OF MODERNIZATION

Jaap van der STEL

De Geestgronden, Postbus 5, 2120 BA Bennebroek, The Netherlands

Abstract: The article discusses some new theoretical points of view related to the future of drug prevention in young people, focusing mainly on the role of the schools. In addition to their role in the transfer of cognitive skills, schools have the important task to stimulate the social and emotional development of children. Prevention programs oriented to mental health issues can conveniently be implemented within the context of schools.
The development of the possibilities and difficulties of drug prevention will be discussed against the background of development in the use of psychoactive substances in the modern world. In this connection, the relations between psychological stress and (positive and negative) emotions are underlined. In conclusion, this study summarizes some features of a modern preventive approach.

Key words: (drug)prevention, young people, mental health, school, psychoactive substances

pp. 181-193


QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE CREATIVELY-HUMANISTIC CONCEPT OF PERSONALITY

Miron ZELINA, Milota ZELINOVÁ

Pedagogical Faculty of Comenius University, Račianska 59, 813 34 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: The article begins with a definition of the term "Quality of Life". Next, it deals with the five most frequent concepts of the quality of life and continues with a description of the decreasing quality of life. The concluding part seeks answers to the question as to what is to be done in order to improve that quality.

Key words: quality of life, personality, education, creatively - humanistic education, CEMSAC - cognitivization, emotionalization, motivation, socialization, self-regulation, creativization

pp. 195-201


(DIS-)INTEGRATION OF PERSONALITY - A SOURCE OF (NON-)QUALITY OF LIFE

Damián KOVÁČ

Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences

Dúbravská cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: Global problems in the new millennium also include a mass incidence of disintegrated personalities in the civilized world. This is evident in - among others - an abuse of legal and illegal drugs. To prevent its spread, preference has thus far been given to a specific symptomatic strategy of "fight" and prevention. But likewise justified is a general (root) strategy residing in cultivating personality, and this not solely through socialization, but also inculturation and spiritualization. As a matter of fact, drug dependence is not a phenomenon isolated from other anti-human and anti-social excesses. The author analyzes such a strategy within the frame of reference of a BIO-PSYCHO-ENVI concept of personality leading to a three-level and multidimensional model of the quality of life. The meaning of life here is a universal psychological regulator of the way of acting, of a life style.

Key words: personality integrity, quality of life, psychological regulation, personality cultivation, meaning of life

pp. 203-210


FAITH, MEANINGFULNESS AND QUALITY OF LIFE

Jaro KŘIVOHLAVÝ1, Františka PETŘÍKOVÁ2

1 Postgradual Medical Institute, Nad cementárnou 18, 147 00 Prague 4, Czech Republic
2
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Trnava, Hornopotočná 23, 918 43 Trnava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: Relations between quality of life, faith and meaningfulness of life were studied in a sample of 108   grown   up   members   of   auxiliary   professions.   Quality   of   life   was studied with an adapted SEIQoL measure (also giving data about satisfaction with the realization of life's aims). Intrinsic faith and meaningfulness of life were studied with the special Visual Analogous Scales (VAS). The results showed Pearson correlations r = .411** for faith and quality of life, r = .356** for faith and meaningfulness of life, r = .220* for quality of life and meaningfulness of life and r = .319** for satisfaction with the realization of life's aims and meaningfulness of life. A positive relation between faith and age was found (r = .272*). The discussion brings the idea of the existence of a cluster of important life orientation and satisfaction attitudes.

Key words: quality of life, meaningfulness of life, intrinsic faith, satisfaction with the realization of life's aims, SEIQoL, VAS

pp. 211-214


CROSS-CULTURAL (JAPAN-SLOVAKIA) COMPARISON OF SOME ASPECTS OF SLEEPING PATTERNS AND ANXIETY

Saburo IWAWAKI1, Ivan SARMÁNY SCHULLER2

1 Showa Women's University, 1-7 Taishido, Setagaya-ku, 154 Tokyo, Japan
2 Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: We compared differences in sleeping habits and anxiety as a trait (real duration of sleep, duration of necessary sleep, time of going to bed and regularity of sleeping habits) in 593 Japanese and 225 Slovak children aged 12-13 yrs. The results point to a statistically significant negative relationship between anxiety and the real duration of sleep in children from the entire combined sample (n = 818). Children who go to bed late have a significantly higher score in anxiety. Differences in the duration of real sleep and the duration of necessary sleep (to feel refreshed) are significant - they are significantly higher in Japanese children (boys and girls) than in Slovak children. In Japanese children this difference can reach 2.17 hrs., in the Slovak children it is 1.35 hrs. Furthermore, we found significant cross-cultural differences in the time of going to bed (Japanese children go to bed later) and real duration of sleep (Japanese children sleep less). The results are discussed with respect to the harmonization of biological and social rhythms and effects on anxiety and academic success.

Key words: sleeping habits, anxiety, cross-culture comparison (Japan-Slovakia)

pp. 215-224


PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THE SCALE OF SELF-PERCEPTION FOR PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN (LSPO)

Zlatka CUGMAS

Faculty of Education, University of Maribor, Koroška 160, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia

Abstract: The author describes the characteristic features of the child's self-perception with special emphasis on the pre-school period. She also mentions the established methods of measuring the child's self-perception. She points out that in creating the instruments for measuring self-perception of younger children, it is necessary to take into account some of their developmental psychological characteristics, such as short-span attention, inconsistency in their answers, tendency to give socially acceptable answers, etc. The author presents the Scale of self-perception for pre-school children (LSPO) which she herself developed on the basis of her findings and on the basis of the experience of other authors in the forming of psychological instruments of this type. The scale was tested in a research which involved 214 children attending kindergarten (they are 4 and 5 years old). The purpose of the study is to investigate the psychometric characteristics of LSPO. A factor analytical check of the data only partly confirmed that the a priori dimensions had been reliably measured. That is why in further analyses the author preferred to account for dimensions obtained on the basis of factor analysis. It was established that the psychometric characteristics of the scale were adequate. Replication studies using clinical groups and samples from different cultures will be needed to assess a possible generalization of our results.

Key words: pre-school children, measuring self-perception, psychometric characteristics, sex and grade differences

pp. 225-242


HOW DOES ANXIETY PARTICIPATE IN MALADJUSTMENT OF ADOLESCENTS?

Alexandra PROKOPČÁKOVÁ

Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: The questionnaire according to Magnusson and Dunér (Magnusson, Dunér, Zetterblom, 1975) consisting of two parts, was administered to a sample of 246 boys and girls aged 15 (84 boys and 162 girls). The first part focuses on an analysis of relationships between an adolescent's own opinions and those of his/her parents and friends. The second part aims at certain emotional and behavioral problems. Anxiety was studied with the aid of Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) on extreme groups of boys and girls. The effect of anxiety on behavioral manifestations seems to be less evident in boys. Children with stricter and more exacting parents tend to be more anxious than those having more lenient and trustful parents. Anxious girls get on less well with their parents and strive to be more popular among peers. In addition, the more anxious individuals also experience loneliness more often.

Key words: anxiety, maladjustment, adolescence

pp. 243-249


INVOLVEMENT OF THE SPINAL CORD IN THE ELEMENTS OF THINKING

Jozef POGÁDY, Pavel NÁDVORNÍK, Jozef ZLATOŠ

Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: Thinking, also referred to as inner language, takes place in the  grammar structure. Among its basic  parts  – elements belong to nouns and primarily verbs which have the ability to expand thinking by different means and in various directions. Even though the collection of verbs is amazing, their primary source remains the spinal cord.

Keywords: spinal cord, motion visualization, verb, motion program

pp. 251-253


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