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Copyright of Alcoholism & Psychiatry Research is the property of Center for Study & Control of Alcoholism & Addictions and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Road traffic injuries have become a global developmental and health issue. One of the major risk factors for road traffic injuries and fatal outcomes is driving under the influence of alcohol. The aim of this study was to explore trends in the observed time period of the share of accidents caused under the influence of alcohol in all traffic accidents caused by motor vehicle drivers in Republic of Croatia. Outcomes of road traffic accidents caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol were analyzed, as well as differences in outcomes depending on the degree of alcohol intoxication. Trends in share of traffic violations for drunken driving in the total number of traffic violations were examined. Data were gathered for the time period from 1999 to 2012. Special emphasis was given to traffic accidents caused by young motor vehicle drivers under the influence of alcohol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Collegium Antropologicum is the property of Croatian Anthropological Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A great number of persons addicted to drugs are in the prison system. According to Walmsey, the significant increase in the prisoners' population in the world (estimated to 9 million prisoners in prisons of 211 countries) can be attributed to an increased criminal activity in persons using illicit drugs. Reports on the number of crimes linked to drugs (possession, trafficking) are various since the number of these crimes depends on a certain country's penal policy and policy of fighting substance abuse. In all countries the increase in the number of crimes connected to use, possession and trafficking is significant. The increase in crime commitment can be caused by the occurrence of comorbidity, in which case addiction is in comorbidity with psychiatric disorders, or the psychiatric disorders are in comorbidity with psychoactive substance abuse and psychoactive substance addiction. New trends show that Croatia is not significantly different from the developed countries of Eastern and Western Europe, as well as new member countries of the EU. The present paper will show the experience in the Croatian prison system with a review of characteristics of addicts considering gender and age, type of penal sanctions and type of psychoactive substances, which affects also the choice of the treatment the addicts will be included in, as well as planning post-penal monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the possible differences in self-reported quality of life of people with physical disabilities with regard to both socio-demographic and disability-related characteristics. Testing was conducted on 153 respondents with physical disabilities, residents of the City of Zagreb. Positive correlations were found between the quality of life and income satisfaction, residence size (per capita floor area) and level of residence equipment. Multivariate analysis of variance showed statistically significant differences in quality of life among respondents with regard to the marital status, work status and home ownership. Statistically significant differences in the quality of life were found among the participants depending on their level of physical mobility and type of physical disability. The level of physical mobility is associated with general satisfaction with the accomplishment of goals, aspirations and hopes. The type of physical disability is related to the satisfaction with leisure activities, with the material status, expectations to achieve in the future what has not formerly been achieved. There was also a significant relation between the type of physical disability and general satisfaction with life in the past year. Positive correlations between duration of disability and quality of life were found. Membership in associations of persons with physical disability and related benefits were shown to contribute to the quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psoriasis, as same as other skin diseases, has an influence on many spheres of patient's life. It influences the mental image the patients have of themselves and it indirectly shapes their personality traits as well as it defines the quality of their lives. The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of psoriasis on the quality of life and gender differences in the quality of life and explore presence of neurotic symptoms among persons suffering from psoriasis in comparison to general population. During the treatment of persons suffering from psoriasis at the special hospital Naftalan in Ivani} Grad personality questionnaire and Quality of life scale were administered to 61 participants (m=25; f=36). Our results showed few gender differences in the satisfaction with specific life domains, but only differences in the satisfaction with sexual life could be related to the different effects psoriasis has on the quality of life of men and women. Our participants experience more anxiety and depression symptoms as well phobic fears in comparison to general population. Found genders differences in the presence and intensity of anxiety symptoms closely resemble those documented in the general population therefore aren't typical for people suffering from psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selection of antipsychotics as medications used primarily for treating schizophrenia and disorders similar to schizophrenia is an important aspect of the treatment of forensic patients. This study examines the effect of antipsychotics selection (typical or atipycal) on the level of aggressiveness, side effects and the hospitalisation length. The research is conducted on 98 psychiatric patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or similar disorders (F 20-F 29) in two forensic psychiatric institutions. The patients committed aggressive criminal offence in state of insanity. The patients are currently treated in inpatient psychiatric institutions. The research was conducted by using the Aggressiveness Questionnaire (AG-87), the Simpson-Angus Scale for the assessment of extrapyramidal side effects, the Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale for the assesment of akathisia and the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale. The results show no significant difference between the groups of patients treated with typical and atypical antipsychotics in all the variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Collegium Antropologicum is the property of Croatian Anthropological Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Collegium Antropologicum is the property of Croatian Anthropological Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Collegium Antropologicum is the property of Croatian Anthropological Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Alcoholism: Journal on Alcoholism & Related Addictions is the property of Center for Study & Control of Alcoholism & Addictions and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Alcoholism: Journal on Alcoholism & Related Addictions is the property of Center for Study & Control of Alcoholism & Addictions and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Alcoholism: Journal on Alcoholism & Related Addictions is the property of Center for Study & Control of Alcoholism & Addictions and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The goal of this study was identification of highly specific patterns of alcohol related homicide in Croatia and comparing with related homicides in six eastern European countries and overall comparison with same homicide group in western Europe. The survey in Croatia was conducted on 286 men charged with murder (homicide group) within Croatian Criminal Justice System between 1990 and 2004. All offenders were admitted to forensic psychiatry units and have undergone testing and psychiatric evaluation in order to make forensic expert analyses of each case particularly. The alcohol related cases in Croatia were compared to alcohol related homicide studies in Russia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and former Czechoslovakia. All data were compared to alcohol related homicide in countries of northern Europe (Sweden, Finland, Norway) and Western Europe (Ireland, Germany). In general, all alcohol-related homicide rates among men were substantially higher for Croatia (64%) and eastern European countries (60%-80%) compared to western European countries (35-39%). Russia and Belarus had the highest alcohol-related homicide rates, followed by Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary and former Czechoslovakia. Eastern European countries had similar alcohol related homicide compared to northern European countries such as Finland with highest percentage of alcohol related homicide (80%) followed by Estonia (73%), Sweden (62%) and Norway (52%). Overall, Croatia, eastern and northern European countries had three to five time higher alcohol- related homicide rates compared to western European countries (Ireland and Germany), but the similar homicide rate (Sweden) or lower (Finland) compared to northern Europe. Moreover, Finland had similar rate of alcohol-related homicide as Russia and Belarus. In comparison between Croatia and the countries of eastern Europe, we have found that Croatia has lower alcohol-related homicide rate then Russia, Belarus, Bulgaria and Poland and similar rate when compared to Hungary and former Czechoslovakia. In social context of alcohol related homicide in all countries, the offenders are male, age 30-50, single, unemployed (socially marginalized) and majority of the offenders had previous history of alcohol abuse and criminal offenses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between alcoholism in the family and its influence on psyhosocial characteristics of homicide offendants. Research was conducted at the Department for Forensic Psychiatry in Neuropsychiatric Hospital »Dr. Ivan Barbot« in Popovača, Croatia. The experimental poll comprised overall of 130 homicide offendants with positive history of alcoholism in the family and 156 offendants with no evidence of alcoholism in their families. Two groups were compared on the basis of psychosocial differences and differences in modality of criminal offence. The data were analyzed and statistical variables were determined. Our results showed marked differences in psychosocial characteristics, as well as, in modality of criminal offence in each particular group of homicide offenders. The offenders with positive history of alcoholism in the family were more often single, with poor socioeconomic status and more often had history of alcohol abuse or established diagnosis of alcohol dependence compared to group with negative history of alcoholism in the family. Furthermore, the same homicide group had positive family history of violent criminal offences including homicide and more intervention from social services, they were more often raised in foster homes or institutions, they were more often diagnosed with emotional disturbances during childhood and were often having problems in school. The homicide offenders with positive history of alcoholism in the family were more frequently alcohol abusers during adolescent period and had history of criminal offences as adolescents. Finally, the homicide offenders were often intoxicated at the time of the offence and homicides were committed between 4pm and midnight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study is based on alcoholic personality characteristics, such as specificities in psychopathological and sociopathological attributes of alcoholic non-offenders and alcoholic offenders, regarding the offence. The study was conducted in penal and hospital system during the year 2002/2003, in Popovača. It included two groups of subject. Experimental group (E) (N=96) consisted of subjects sentenced on servitude for homicide (N1=32), traffic offences (N2=32) and property offences (N3=32). Control group consisted of subjects that were included in hospital treatment at the Alcoholism ward in Neuropsychiatric hospital 'Dr. Ivan Barbot' in Popovača. Among criminal offenders, the highest amount of sociopatholigical attributes were found in homicide offenders (the highest amount of personality disorder characteristics), while traffic offenders and property offenders had lower sociopathological attributes. Alcoholic offenders also had more sociopatholigical attributes than alcoholic non-offenders. The main difference between alcoholic offenders and non-offenders is on the variable of family problems- the alcoholics in their current families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]