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Anxiety sensitivity (AS) refers to a person's tendency to fear anxiety-related symptoms due to the belief that these symptoms may have harmful consequences. The most widely used operationalization of AS in adults is the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI). The factor structure, gender stability, and psychometric properties of the ASI in a sample of Croatian adults (N = 984) were evaluated. Results confirm the multidimensional and hierarchical structure of the ASI, which consisted of three lower-order factors (Physical Concerns, Psychological Concerns, and Social Concerns) and a single higher-order factor, AS. Furthermore, the achievement of normative scores for the ASI in a Croatian adult sample demonstrates the cross-national stability of the ASI. Reliability coefficients for the ASI, Physical Concerns, and Psychological Concerns are high and satisfactory in the total sample and for both genders. Overall, the results confirmed the cross-national stability, gender stability, reliability, and validity of the ASI in a sample of Croatian adults. (Contains 6 tables.)

The aim of this study was to examine the existing mobile applications focused on sexual health and analyze the included content and therapeutic techniques. Three databases with mobile applications were searched and 47 applications met the criteria. More applications have been developed for men, most of them included content for erectile dysfunction, and only one for vaginismus. Most apps included sexuality tips and Kegel exercises, and only one technique for working on thoughts and emotions. In conclusion, a number of mobile applications have been developed to enhance sexual functioning, but scientific verification of their effectiveness has been completely lacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to test a conceptual model of retrospectively assessed change in sexual interest and sexual enjoyment in the past 10 years among coupled older adults in Norway, Denmark, Belgium and Portugal. To which degree do structural influences, personal characteristics, and interpersonal factors predict the dynamics of sexual interest and enjoyment in partnered persons? Methods: Data were collected as a cross-sectional postal survey, with national probability-based samples of the population aged 60-75 years recruited by phone registers in Norway (676 men and 594 women), Denmark (530 men and 515 women), Belgium ( 318 men and 672 women), and Portugal (236 men and 273 women). Results: Across countries, personal characteristics—primarily general health status—were the most important predictors of change in sexual interest and sexual enjoyment in men. Change in sexual interest and enjoyment among women (except for Portuguese women) was best predicted by interpersonal factors. Conclusions: Good health, an active sex life throughout the lifespan, direction of relationship, and feeling emotionally close to partner during sex are important factors in maintaining sexual interest and enjoyment among partnered older adults in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is the fear of anxiety symptoms, a feature proven to be an important vulnerability factor for anxiety pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to examine whether AS (as well as its factors) predicts the onset of panic disorder symptoms when controlling for the contribution of trait anxiety.Design: We conducted a prospective 3 year follow up study.Methods: The participants, students at the Humanities and Social Sciences in Zagreb (N = 1087), completed an Anxiety Sensitivity Index and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Trait form) and, after a period of three years, were asked to self-assess criteria for panic disorder (according to the DSM-5).Results: The predictive validity of AS for the onset of panic disorder symptoms, regardless of trait anxiety, was confirmed. Furthermore, the physical concerns dimension of AS was the only significant predictor of panic disorder symptoms. The optimal cutoff score of 25 on the ASI provides poor to moderate accuracy indices in detecting participants who will manifest panic disorder symptoms in the next three years.Conclusion: This study contributes to our current understanding of AS as a prospective risk factor for panic disorder symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite a growing number of studies, hypersexuality remains controversial and empirically elusive. Using a group comparison approach, this study revisited the claim that hypersexuality cannot be reliably distinguished from high sexual desire. An online survey, advertised as focusing on pornography use and sexual health, was carried out in 2014 among 1,998 Croatian men aged 18 to 60 years (Mage= 34.7,SD= 9.83). Membership in the hypersexuality group (HYP;n= 57) was determined using the Hypersexual Disorder Screening Inventory and the Hypersexual Behavior Consequences Scale. The highest values on two indicators of sexual desire/interest set membership in the high sexual desire group (HSD;n= 70). The overlap between the groups was negligible (n= 4). Compared to the rest of the sample, men in the HYP group had significantly higher odds of being single, not exclusively heterosexual, religious, depressed, prone to sexual boredom, experiencing substance abuse consequences, holding negative attitudes toward pornography use, and evaluating one's sexual morality more negatively. In contrast, the HSD group differed from controls only in reporting more positive attitudes toward pornography use. The study findings point to a distinct phenomenology of HSD and HYP in men. Clinical implications of the findings are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, women's sexual desire has been deemed socially problematic. The growing popularity of the concept of hypersexuality-which lists high sexual desire among its core components- poses a risk of re-pathologizing female sexual desire. Data from a 2014 online survey of 2,599 Croatian women aged 18-60 years was used to examine whether high sexual desire is detrimental to women's relationship and sexual well-being. Based on the highest scores on an indicator of sexual desire, 178 women were classified in the high sexual desire (HSD) group; women who scored higher than one standard deviation above the Hypersexual Disorder Screening Inventory mean were categorized in the hypersexuality (HYP) group (n = 239). Fifty-seven women met the classification criteria for both groups (HYP&HSD). Compared to other groups, the HSD was the most sexually active group. Compared to controls, the HYP and HYP&HSD groups-but not the HSD group-reported significantly more negative consequences associated with their sexuality. Compared to the HYP group, women with HSD reported better sexual function, higher sexual satisfaction, and lower odds of negative behavioral consequences. The findings suggest that, at least among women, hypersexuality should not be conflated with high sexual desire and frequent sexual activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Croatia, transgender individuals face numerous social and medical obstacles throughout the process of transition. The aim of this study was to depict the factors contributing to the psychosocial adjustment of six transsexual individuals living in Croatia following sex reassignment surgery (SRS). A combination of quantitative and qualitative self-report methods was used. Due to the specificity of the sample, the data were collected online. Standardized questionnaires were used to assess mental health and quality of life alongside a series of open-ended questions divided into 4 themes: the decision-making process regarding SRS; social and medical support during the SRS process; experience of discrimination and stigmatizing behaviors; psychosocial adjustment after SRS. Despite the unfavorable circumstances in Croatian society, participants demonstrated stable mental, social, and professional functioning, as well as a relative resilience to minority stress. Results also reveal the role of pretransition factors such as high socioeconomic status, good premorbid functioning, and highmotivation for SRS in successful psychosocial adjustment.During and after transition, participants reported experiencing good social support and satisfaction with the surgical treatment and outcomes. Any difficulties reported by participants are related to either sexual relationships or internalized transphobia. The results also demonstrate the potentially protective role that a lengthier process of transition plays in countries such as Croatia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation -- Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) is a scale designed as a multi-theoretical and multi-diagnostic measure of general psychological distress. It can be used at all levels of psychological care, from triage to monitoring the effects of psychotherapy. The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Croatian version of the CORE-OM questionnaire in an adult sample and to determine the cut-off score. The study included a total of 608 participants divided into non-clinical (n=425) and clinical (n=183) groups. In addition to the CORE-OM questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory-II and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were administered. Analysis revealed a four factor structure with a higher order factor corresponding to the original structure, suggesting that this questionnaire measures the degree of general psychological distress from which it is also possible to determine in which areas this distress is particularly pronounced. Satisfactory internal consistency and test-retest reliability, as well as a good convergent validity, were confirmed. On the basis of ROC analysis, a cut-off score of 1.38 was determined. For clinicians, the CORE-OM can be used to assess general distress. However, it should be used in combination with other, more specific measures to further examine the expression of certain mental disorders. In research, the CORE-OM can be used as a reliable and valid measure of the presence and intensity of psychopathological disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]