The present review aimed to evaluate research studies on gender patterns of social anxiety during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in order to determine whether there is an increased ...COVID-19-related vulnerability for women as compared to men. The re- conceptualization of essential social components of quality of life due to COVID-19 pandemic has globally increased rates of psychological disorders such as social anxiety, although the issue of increased gender-related susceptibility is not settled. The searching process was conducted from September 2022 to February 2023 across 3 databases: Cochrane, PubMed, and Google Scholar. The study followed PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for systematic reviews. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria and were subsequently considered for the review. Empirical data originated from 8 different countries, including Canada, Poland, Spain, China, USA, Australia, United Kingdom, and Portugal. Cross-sectional studies outnumbered longitudinal studies and generally indicated significant gender differences (women were significantly more likely to have social anxiety), although effect sizes were small. However, the claim of increased vulnerability of women as related to the COVID-19 pandemic was only supported by 3 studies. Although gender differences in social anxiety were generally present across countries, there was insufficient research evidence on increased COVID-19-related vulnerability to social anxiety for women as compared to men. Further research should address the methodological limitations of studies, particularly as regards instrumentation or the involvement of cross-cultural variables. Keywords: Anxiety, COVID-19 pandemic, sex characteristics
Mental health problems related to the psychological trauma of war still represent a public health concern in postwar Kosovo. Despite the universal character of exposure to trauma, there are ...suggestions that the manifestation posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or related psychosocial factors might vary across cultures. The aim of the present article was to provide a critical overview of research on PTSD in the specific sociocultural context of Kosovo by examining prevalence rates, as well as related demographic and psychosocial variables. For this purpose, 51 studies were evaluated. Results showed that, even 10 years postwar prevalence rates for PTSD are still high among civilians exposed to trauma, refugees, and veterans. As regards psychiatric and psychological constructs correlating with PTSD, studies suggested the following: anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, anger, and revenge thoughts. Moreover, socioeconomic factors and social support were identified as highly influential on quality of life of individuals with PTSD. Nonetheless the studies considered for review had numerous methodological problems such as sample size, self-selection, nonrandomized process, and lack of control groups, findings of existing studies still need to be carefully considered and future research is necessary.
Teaching has been regarded as one of the most stressful professions, and workplace stress within this professional category has been thoroughly investigated. Nonetheless, no empirical research so far ...has examined workplace stress among teachers in Kosovo. The present study aimed to identify age and gender-related patterns of workplace stress as well as examine the role of marital status, educational level, and working experience in a sample of Kosovo teachers. The different types of stressors reported by teachers were also examined. The sample consisted of 799 teachers (Mage = 42.94; SD = 11.50), 33.8% males and 65.2% females. The measures included the National Stress Awareness Day (NSAD) Stress Questionnaire, and one self-report questionnaire designed by the authors for the purpose of the research. Results showed that 33.2% (265 participants) of the sample reported high levels of stress. Workplace stress was significantly predicted by place of residence (β = −.442, p < .00) and level of education (β = −.191, p < .00) but not age, gender, marital status, or working experience F(6, 520) = 34.162, p < .001, R2 = .283. As regards the specific stressors, the most frequently reported were inadequate wages (36.8%), physical working environment (30.1%), and undisciplined students (26.2%). Results are discussed in the context of practical implications they have and suggestions for future research are provided.
Studies report an increasing prevalence of health risk behaviors among Albanian adolescents and young adults. The Problem-Behavior Theory provides a useful framework for explaining both ...health-compromising and health-enhancing behaviors by considering several personal and environmental factors. The present study used a model with seven independent variables including age, gender, attitudes, locus of control, risk behavior tendency, stress, and parent/peer models of health behavior to predict two health-compromising behaviors (alcohol drinking and risky driving) and two health-enhancing behaviors (physical activity, healthy eating) in a sample of 347 Albanian young adults (157 men and 190 women, Mage = 20.42, SD = 1.48). The measuring instrument was based on the Health Behavior Questionnaire developed by Jessor, Donovan, and Costa. Results showed that the model explained 26.1% of the variance in risky driving behavior, and the significant predictors included, risk behavior tendency, gender, and attitude toward health. These same three variables also significantly predicted drinking behavior, explaining 16.8% of the variance. Also the model explained 14.2% of the variance in healthy eating behavior and the significant predictors included, models of significant others, gender, locus of control, attitude toward health, and age. Finally, the only two significant predictors for physical activity were risky behavior tendency and perceived stress, which accounted for 13.2% of the variance. Findings are discussed in the context of suggestions for future research and practical implications for policy making.
Epilepsy adversely affects the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children living with it. Even though almost 80% of children with epilepsy live in developing countries very little research ...has been conducted with the specific population. The present study took place in Albania and aimed to investigate parental perceptions of the HRQoL of their children with epilepsy. Considering the well-defined gender roles in the Albanian traditional family it was expected that mothers and fathers reports of their children's HRQoL would differ. Results showed no differences in maternal and paternal reports; instead there was a moderate correspondence between the reports across all dimensions. Parents also reported the highest scores of HRQoL in the interpersonal dimension and the lowest scores in the intrapersonal dimension. The findings have implications in the context of future research and also medical care for children with epilepsy in Albania.
The after-war Kosovo society was characterized by an increasing number of suicides. The aims of the study were the identification, appraisal, selection, and synthesis of studies on suicide in Kosovo. ...A classical theoretical approach has been used to analyze studies in known databases as well as dissertations and presentations at national conferences. Fifteen studies that met our selection criteria were analyzed. These studies were psychiatric/psychological, forensic, sociological, epidemiological, and legal type. We have not found any study of qualitative, physiological, or anthropological character. None of these studies noticed the focus on specific cultural elements. The investigation of social elements did not provide valuable data. Most of the studies focused on adolescents. Neither research has convinced us for it comprehensible view of suicide phenomenon. Only two studies analyzed predictors of suicide. Identification of the protective/risk factors is difficult because the reviewed studies have many methodological shortcomings. Although the studies analyzed include many valuable data of epidemiological nature, they do not allow us to develop a model for suicide.
The study explored a predictive model of substance use including perceived maternal parenting style, age and gender. Participants were 347 Albanian young adults (144 males and 203 females) aged 18 to ...28 years. They completed the Parental Authority Questionnaire and the Adolescent Alcohol and Drug Involvement Scale. Gender, perceived authoritative maternal style, and age predicted a proportion of substance use involvement. Gender and perceived authoritative maternal style also predicted the proportion of young people at risk for substance use or abuse. Implications of the findings and limitations of the study are discussed.
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