Specific personality traits may predispose individuals to various forms of addictive behaviors. This study aimed to investigate the association between personality traits of university students and Internet addiction (IA). A sample of 1051 university students was recruited from the largest university in Eastern Croatia. A structured anonymous questionnaire that included questions regarding students’ sociodemographic information and Internet usage patterns, the Young Internet Addiction Test and Big Five Inventory served as a research tool. The study revealed that 1.0% of the studied sample expressed severe IA while 24.6% of study participants expressed some signs of addiction. The IA was detected in 576 (80.0%) students who used the Internet mainly for social networking, in 30 (78.9%) students who mainly used it for online gaming, and in 153 (52.2%) students who mainly used it for university assignments (p < 0.001). Higher neuroticism, higher extraversion, and higher openness to new experiences were connected with IA in general (p < 0.001). Higher neuroticism, higher extraversion, and higher openness to new experiences were significantly associated with addictive behavior during social networking (p < 0.001). Higher extraversion and higher openness to new experiences were significantly associated with addictive behavior during Internet usage for university assignments (p = 0.025), while there were no significant associations between specific personality traits and addictive behavior during online gaming (p = 0.059). Personality traits must be taken into account while developing programs and implementing interventions for preventing IA in the university student population.

This study aimed to investigate factors associated with the symptoms of mental disorders following a road traffic crash (RTC). A prospective cohort of 200 people was followed for 6 months after experiencing an RTC. The cohort was comprised of uninjured survivors and injured victims with all levels of road traffic injury (RTI) severity. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associations between the symptoms of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety one and six months after the RTC, along with sociodemographic factors, health status before and after the RTC, factors related to the RTI and factors related to the RTC. The results showed associations of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms with sociodemographic factors, factors related to the health status before and after the RTC and factors related to the RTC. Factors related to the RTI showed associations only with depression and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Identifying factors associated with mental disorders following an RTC is essential for establishing screening of vulnerable individuals at risk of poor mental health outcomes after an RTC. All RTC survivors, regardless of their RTI status, should be screened for factors associated with mental disorders in order to successfully prevent them.

Background and Objectives: This research aimed to examine the impact of sociodemographic characteristics on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, with religiosity as a moderator. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in family medicine clinics within the Primary Healthcare Center of Virovitica-Podravina County among 1131 participants, divided into 2 groups: RC (Recovered from COVID-19; N = 423) and NRC (Not Recovered from COVID-19; N = 708). To ensure clear differentiation, RC participants were defined as individuals with documented positive PCR results for SARS-CoV-2 (prior infection and clinical recovery), whereas NRC participants exhibited consistently negative PCR results and lacked any clinical history of the disease. Group allocation was rigorously based on the review of medical records and corresponding PCR documentation obtained both at the time of recruitment and retrospectively. All data were collected through a questionnaire from September 2022 to September 2023. Participants completed questionnaires measuring their sociodemographic characteristics (gender, age, education, and marital status), levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and level of religiosity. Results: Older participants were more prone to depression, whereas younger participants showed relatively better mental-health indicators. Sociodemographic characteristics were significantly associated with mental health during the pandemic. Religiosity was found to be a significant moderator in the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and mental health. Individuals with higher levels of religiosity reported higher levels of depression and anxiety, suggesting that religiosity may act as a negative factor in times of crisis. Conclusions: Sociodemographic characteristics were significant predictors of mental health during the pandemic. Religiosity emerged as an important factor, particularly in moderating the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and mental health. Further research is recommended to develop targeted interventions for vulnerable groups such as women, younger individuals, and those with lower incomes.