Browsing by Author "Toskovic, Oliver (28867554600)"

Aim: This article aims to make clearer, with supporting evidence, the clinical benefits of the nature-based rehabilitation program (NBRP) and the restorative values of visiting botanical garden for people with stress-related mental disorders. Background: Throughout the years, nature-based therapy has been acknowledged as a valuable rehabilitation practice that integrates specially designed natural environments and nature-related activities for people with mental health conditions. Subject and Methods: The comparative analyses of parallel conducted the NBRP at botanical garden and occupational therapy realised at the Day Hospital of the Institute of Mental Health in Belgrade included 27 participants divided into two groups. The data collection employed a mixed method combining a Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Scale and on-site observations. Results: The positive findings on the psychological recovery of the participants seem to be related to NBRP. The restorative potential of the garden was recognized through the observed interaction between participants and the natural entities employed through the various themed activities. The observed landscape elements especially solitary plant specimens or tall and single-form trees within the garden can be embraced as design guidelines for the development of an evidence-based practice that can support the recovery process of people with mental health conditions. Conclusion: Our findings endorse that ongoing social development and progressive urbanization have broadened the interest in scientific research involving nature-based solutions that help preserve the physical and mental health of people in low- and middle-income Western Balkan countries with a high prevalence of mental disorders in the urban environment that relates to social inequalities and natural disasters. © The Author(s) 2021.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of epilepsy and subclinical epileptiform abnormalities in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and to investigate its effects on core autistic symptoms and adaptive behavior skills. Methods: Patients with diagnosis of ASD who met full criteria on Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) were included in the study. Adaptive behavior skills were assessed by Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale-II (VABS-II). Clinical assessment for epilepsy and video electroencephalography (EEG) (v-EEG) examinations during wakefulness and/or sleep were prospectively performed in all patients. Results: A total of 112 patients with diagnosis of ASD of mean age 6.58 ± 3.72 were included in the study. Based on clinical and v-EEG assessments, three groups of patients were defined: 1) patients with epilepsy (n = 17; 15.2%); 2) patients with epileptiform discharges in absence of clinical seizures (n = 14; 12.5%); 3) patients without epilepsy and without epileptiform discharges (n = 81; 72.3%). There were no significant differences between three groups of patients on ADI-R subscores. Speech development was also not significantly related to epilepsy. There was a slight tendency of the VABS-II motor skills score to be higher in the group of patients with autism without clinical diagnosis of epilepsy and without subclinical epileptiform discharges (p < 0.05) in comparison with the two other groups. According to this tendency, we might claim that patients with higher scores on motor skills could have 0.88 times lower odds for having epileptiform EEG activity. Conclusions: According to our results, we were not able to detect differences in the ADI-R between the three populations with ASD, all with unknown etiology. Epilepsy, as well as subclinical epileptic discharges, showed small effects on Motor Skills in patients with autism, and had no effect on adaptive behavior Communication/Socialization/Daily Living Skills. © 2018 Elsevier Inc.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of epilepsy and subclinical epileptiform abnormalities in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and to investigate its effects on core autistic symptoms and adaptive behavior skills. Methods: Patients with diagnosis of ASD who met full criteria on Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) were included in the study. Adaptive behavior skills were assessed by Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale-II (VABS-II). Clinical assessment for epilepsy and video electroencephalography (EEG) (v-EEG) examinations during wakefulness and/or sleep were prospectively performed in all patients. Results: A total of 112 patients with diagnosis of ASD of mean age 6.58 ± 3.72 were included in the study. Based on clinical and v-EEG assessments, three groups of patients were defined: 1) patients with epilepsy (n = 17; 15.2%); 2) patients with epileptiform discharges in absence of clinical seizures (n = 14; 12.5%); 3) patients without epilepsy and without epileptiform discharges (n = 81; 72.3%). There were no significant differences between three groups of patients on ADI-R subscores. Speech development was also not significantly related to epilepsy. There was a slight tendency of the VABS-II motor skills score to be higher in the group of patients with autism without clinical diagnosis of epilepsy and without subclinical epileptiform discharges (p < 0.05) in comparison with the two other groups. According to this tendency, we might claim that patients with higher scores on motor skills could have 0.88 times lower odds for having epileptiform EEG activity. Conclusions: According to our results, we were not able to detect differences in the ADI-R between the three populations with ASD, all with unknown etiology. Epilepsy, as well as subclinical epileptic discharges, showed small effects on Motor Skills in patients with autism, and had no effect on adaptive behavior Communication/Socialization/Daily Living Skills. © 2018 Elsevier Inc.

Corporal punishment (CP) is a widely spread disciplining practice among parents and caregivers globally. Our paper aimed to explore the relationship between the parental attitudes towards CP, expected outcomes of CP, and parenting practices on one hand, with the reported dysfunctions of their children, on the other. Additionally, we aimed to explore the relationship between the use of CP and the reported academic, developmental, and psychological–emotional dysfunctions of their children. The present study involved a nationally representative sample of 1186 parents in Serbia, who had at least one child aged 0–18 years at the moment of interviewing. The parents filled out a series of questionnaires on their attitudes towards CP, expectations of CP outcomes, and their parental practices. Findings indicate that parents that report having a child with dysfunctions have positive attitudes towards CP and expect positive outcomes of CP. These parents also report using more CP as a disciplining method, as well as other harsh disciplining practices. We also identified parental positive expectations of CP, use of physical assault, psychological aggression, neglect as significant predictors of reported child dysfunctions severity. Having all the results in mind, we can assume that children with health-related and school-related issues might be at potential risk of further maltreatment. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany.

Corporal punishment (CP) is a widely spread disciplining practice among parents and caregivers globally. Our paper aimed to explore the relationship between the parental attitudes towards CP, expected outcomes of CP, and parenting practices on one hand, with the reported dysfunctions of their children, on the other. Additionally, we aimed to explore the relationship between the use of CP and the reported academic, developmental, and psychological–emotional dysfunctions of their children. The present study involved a nationally representative sample of 1186 parents in Serbia, who had at least one child aged 0–18 years at the moment of interviewing. The parents filled out a series of questionnaires on their attitudes towards CP, expectations of CP outcomes, and their parental practices. Findings indicate that parents that report having a child with dysfunctions have positive attitudes towards CP and expect positive outcomes of CP. These parents also report using more CP as a disciplining method, as well as other harsh disciplining practices. We also identified parental positive expectations of CP, use of physical assault, psychological aggression, neglect as significant predictors of reported child dysfunctions severity. Having all the results in mind, we can assume that children with health-related and school-related issues might be at potential risk of further maltreatment. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a multicausal phenomenon and a final end point of the combination of a number of potential causes. Our study aimed to examine potential risk and recovery factors of PTSD in general adult population at 1-year follow-up period. The sample consisted of 640 subjects in the initial phase, chosen by random walk technique in five regions of the country, and 100 in the follow-up. The assessment has been carried out by the following instruments: Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Life Stressor Checklist-Revised, Brief Symptom Inventory, and Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life Scale. Older age, low education, and lower monthly income are potential risk factors for current PTSD, as well as decreased quality of life, psychiatric comorbidity, and higher personal distress. Urban population, higher quality of life, smaller number of stressors, and lower personal distress contributed to recovery of PTSD. It is essential to know the risk and resilience factors that contribute to the development and recovery of PTSD, which is important for prevention and treatment of this disorder. © Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

This study aims to explore the prevalence of alcohol and substance use among young refugees along with the indicators of experienced psychological difficulties. It is based on a sample of 184 children and adolescents aged 11–18 years old, residing at two refugee centers in the Republic of Serbia. Out of 184 participants, the majority was male (N = 155; 84.29%). More than a half of participants (53.3%) displayed significant symptoms of PTSD. 50% consume energy drinks, 28% use tobacco; 13% use alcohol; 4.6% use marijuana; 1.7% use LSD, amphetamines, glue, tranquilizers and cocaine. Female respondents were more frequently expressing emotional difficulties (p < 0.05) while male participants were more frequent users of alcohol or substances (p < 0.01). Younger children were more frequently expressing symptoms of hyperactivity and prosocial behavior, while they were less frequently using substances. There is also a significant negative correlation between the years of education and individual proneness to substance use. Furthermore, those who resided in a greater number of refugee camps were found to experience greater levels of emotional and behavioral difficulties and face a greater risk of physical abuse. The burden of migration increases proneness to substance use, as a consequence of scarce coping resources and the stress of adjusting. Migrants are vulnerable to substance use, since some of them have commonly witnessed and/or personally experienced pre-and post-migration stress and trauma, including loss of homes and livelihoods, violence, torture and family separation. Preventive programs need to focus on the problem of alcohol and substance use among this vulnerable population. Copyright © 2021 Vasic, Grujicic, Toskovic and Pejovic Milovancevic.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may develop as a serious long-term consequence of traumatic experiences, even many years after trauma exposure. The objectives of this study were to examine the prevalence of lifetime and current PTSD as well as to detect the most stressful life events and sociodemographic risk factors of PTSD in a general adult Serbian population. The sample consisted of 640 subjects chosen by random walk technique in five regions of the country. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview 5 revealed an 18.8% prevalence rate of current PTSD and a 32.3% prevalence rate of lifetime PTSD. According to the Life Stressor Checklist-Revised, the bombardment, being expelled from home, siege, and participation in combat were the stressful events most likely to be associated with PTSD. The prevalence of PTSD increased among widows and widowers, divorced persons, unemployed persons, and retired persons. The high level of PTSD a few years after the trauma exposure classifies as a significant health problem that can cause serious consequences for families and the community as a whole. Copyright © 2013 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.