Professional paper
Perception of problems and (in)formal support of young students of Zadar area about to become independent
Mateo Tomišić
Patricia Zorić
Magdalena Batinović
Nikolina Mucić
Marea Novosel
Patrik Pavleković
Mirta Zvonka Škugor
Martina Ušljebrka
Abstract
The aim of this research was to gain deeper insight into the perception, opinions and fears of young Croatian people who are about to become independent. Specifically, the goal was to examine the level of life satisfaction among young people who are starting to live independently in Croatia; to determine what problems and fears they face before becoming independent and to determine how young people in Croatia perceive formal and informal support. This research had an embedded mixed design – it consists of semi-structured interviews, a 5-item Life Satisfaction Scale from Diener’s subjective well-being scales and a short survey of sociodemographic data. The data were analyzed by thematic analysis and descriptive statistical analysis. Seven students from the Zadar area took part in the research.
The results indicated that, on average, the participants were mostly satisfied with life. When they talked about the developmental period they are currently in, the participants reported both pleasant and unpleasant emotions. When they spoke about their plans for the future, most of the participants emphasized the importance of getting a job related to their own profession and expressed an optimistic attitude about employability in that area. Participants perceive the markers of adulthood as psychological, not demographic in nature.
While speaking about current events in the world that may interfere with the process of becoming independent, the participants referred to the inflation caused by the economic crisis and the pandemic, voicing their concerns about rising prices. Participants mostly reported reluctance and dissatisfaction with formal support. While talking about informal support in (un)certain times, the participants relate highly positive experiences. It can be concluded that the participants have an optimistic attitude towards becoming independent and that they successfully navigate their transition to adulthood.
Keywords
young people; (in)formal support; independence; problems; fears; life satisfaction
Hrčak ID:
333891
URI
Publication date:
31.12.2024.
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