This study analyzed the psychometric properties of scores on the Slovene version of the Questionnaire about Interpersonal Difficulties for Adolescents (QIDA) in a sample of 1,334 adolescents (44% boys), ranging in age from 12 to 18 years (M = 15.61). Confirmatory factor analyses replicated the correlated five-factor structure of the QIDA: Assertiveness, Heterosexual Relationships, Public Speaking, Family Relationships, and Close Friendships. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were reasonable. Correlations of scores on the QIDA with scores of neuroticism, low extraversion, and low openness, as measured by the Inventory of Child/Adolescent Individual Differences, and scores of fear of negative evaluation, and tension and inhibition in social contacts, as measured by the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents were found, revealing differential links with QIDA subscale scores. Girls reported more difficulties than boys. Age differences showed a small but significant decrease in QIDA total score over adolescence.
COBISS.SI-ID: 44851042
Different types of marital status are associated with elevated suicidal risk. We studied marital status change and the effect of its recency in relation to suicidal behaviour. Suicide victims (1614) in Slovenia and matched controls (4617) were compared for incidence and recency of marital status change during the last five years of their lives. A higher percentage of suicide victims (10.7% ) had a marital status change in the last five years compared with the controls (5.6%). All types of marital status changes (becoming widowed and getting divorced, as well as getting married) proved to be a risk factor for suicidal behaviour. Almost half of all marital status changes in suicide victims occurred in the last year prior to suicide, whereas marital status changes in the control group were equally distributed over the last five years. For recently married and divorced people the increase in suicide risk depended on age: the risk was higher in older people. Marital status change therefore represents a risk factor for suicidal behaviour. The first year after the change is critical for elevated suicidal risk, in particular for the older people.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2438373
The study examined the predictive value of adolescents' personality trait ratings by different groups of informants in explaining academic achievement [grade point average (GPA)] while controlling for students' sex and their mothers' education. The Inventory of Child/Adolescent Individual Differences was employed as a measure of students' personality traits at the end of elementary schooling (mean age = 14.7 years) and two years later when the participants attended secondary schools. The trait ratings were obtained through self-, maternal and peer reports at both measurement occasions. They explained substantial portions of unique variance in the students' GPA concurrently, and over time. Ratings by each of the three groups of informants had an incremental validity over one another in predicting school grades. Among personality variables, conscientiousness and low extraversion were consistently predictive of GPA.
COBISS.SI-ID: 42284642