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BACKGROUND: Adolescence is one of the most important stages in a human life. This period is full of different stimuli and types of influence - from parents, peers, and society. It is related to greater susceptibility to problematic behaviour and to impulsivity. Because of that it is important to explore the topic of impulsivity and impulsive behaviour. METHODS: This study addresses impulsivity in adolescents using a Czech questionnaire survey method, the Scale of Impulsivity Dolejs & Skopal (SIDS). It also empirically verifies the functionality of the scale and points out its psychometric qualities. The research involved 13,676 adolescent participants aged 11-19. The sample consisted of schoolchildren attending years 6-9 (ISCED 2) of what is called in Czech 'basic school' a term that will be used throughout the text and students of general and specialized secondary schools (ISCED 3). RESULTS: The SIDS questionnaire data collected was subsequently subjected to statistical processing. We used Item Response Theory analysis, which depicted items that did not function correctly, and method revision was suggested. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the shorter version has a good factor structure and reliability. The raw score differences between age, sex, and schools were assessed with linear models. CONCLUSION: This research can help to understand the importance of research in the field of impulsivity. It introduces the new shorter version of the questionnaire of the Scale of Impulsivity Dolejs & Skopal (SIDS). A better understanding of this topic can help with the prevention of impulsive behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: The Czech Republic records one of the highest prevalence levels of obesity in comparison to other European and world countries. The present study aims to fill a gap in the use of tools in research of food addiction (FA), which is believed to be one factor in the high prevalence of obesity. METHODS: A pen-and-paper study was conducted using a nationally representative non-clinical sample of 3950 adolescents aged 11-19. RESULTS: The FA prevalence rate was 4.1%. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses verified a one-factor structure. The reliability corresponded to KR = 0.80, CI95% = (0.79, 0.81), McDonald's? = 0.79 (0.86 for continuous scale). The connection between FA and impulsivity was confirmed using Poisson regression and logistic regression, and the prevalence of FA decreases with lower impulsivity. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings suggest that the Czech version of mYFAS 2.0 is a reliable tool for research purposes with regard to the Czech environment. Further research should incorporate additional personality traits to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the emerging topic of food addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Youth drop-in centres (YDICs) represent the only social service for adolescents. The employees of these centres focus on the personal development of their clients so as to help them succeed and pass safely from childhood into adulthood. They provide them with support and help them with difficult life situations. In order for YDICs to achieve their goals, the employees have to know the people they work with in depth. The basic question of our research was therefore: "What risk activities do they indulge in?" AIMS: The aim of this work is to provide information about the results of nationwide research focused on the prevalence of risk behaviour among clients of YDICs and a comparison with the data obtained in the context of research on risk behaviour amongst adolescents carried out in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. METHODS: We used the Prevalence of Risk Behaviour among Adolescents method (VRCHA) to screen out risk behaviour. PARTICIPANTS: The testing was carried out on a representative sample of adolescents (499 respondents) aged 11-15 years who were using the services of YDICs. RESULTS: We examined the prevalence of risk behaviour within three factors - abuse, delinquency, and bullying (from the point of view of the victim). Using the VRCHA method, we analysed the prevalence values of specific risk activities. We compared the data from the respondents aged 11-15 with the population standards created by Dolejš et al. (2014) and with the results of a replication study (Dolejš, Zemanová, & Vavrysová, 2017) and data from a standardization study carried out in Slovakia (Èerešník & Gatial, 2014). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the clients of YDICs aged 11-15 years score higher than the current Czech and Slovak populations in 99% of the items that were monitored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Damming and water impoundment have fundamental influences on the geomorphology and ecological processes of lotic systems. Although these engineering projects affect all segments of the river channel, fluvial (mid-channel, river) islands are among the most threatened features because of their link to both hydrostatic and hydrodynamic effects of damming. In this study, we used historical maps (1843, 1852) and aerial photos (1954, 2014), as well as other written and iconographic documentary sources, to document the long-term development of the fluvial islands and channel planform in the Lower Labe (Elbe) River area (Northern Czechia) over the past ~170 years. Our results indicate the decrease of fluvial islands from 16 (1843), resp. 20 (1852) in the mid-19th century to eight in 1954, and finally to five in 2014. Most islands have disappeared because of the construction of dams and lock chambers for the purpose of river navigation in the first half of the 20th century. The possible processes responsible for island extinction in individual river segments include sediment starvation (downstream of the dam), erosion by overflow (near upstream of the dam) and decreased flow in inter-island branches (far upstream of the dam). The islands most susceptible to extinction are those with a smaller size and elliptical or irregular shape. Based on visual evaluation of historical photos and survey of present day temporary islands, the medium and fine sedimentary fraction and absence of a vegetation cover seem to be another predictor of island extinction. Finally, we stress the relevance of our findings for the current discussion on the construction of new lock chambers downstream of the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GOALS: The main objective was to identify the specific features of high-risk behaviour among adolescents. The focus is on differences in high-risk behaviour with respect to the age and gender of adolescents. METHODS: The forms of high-risk behaviour were surveyed using the VRCHA questionnaire, which consists of 18 items aimed at detecting bullying, delinquency, and psychoactive substance abuse in the preceding 30 days. PARTICIPANTS: The representative participants were students of four-, six-, and eight-year grammar schools in the Czech Republic, or, more specifically, 4,120 students aged from 11 to 19 years. RESULTS: Differences were established in high-risk behaviour in relation to the age of the adolescents, both at the level of the research instrument and its variables. High-risk behaviour increases with age, and the research also identified gender differences in selected age groups. CONCLUSION: The risk behaviour rates soar with the increasing age of the subject. High-risk behaviour does not concern only boys, as the distribution was found to be similar for both boys and girls. The age range marked by a dramatic increase in this behaviour was from 14 to 16 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: This research study deals with the assessment of personality traits in risk and non-risk individuals. The study is a response to the serious social issue of the abuse of legal and illegal drugs amongst adolescents, and is based on the prevalence values relating to the use of these substances. AIMS: The objective of this research study is to determine whether the manifestations of risk secondary school students differ in the degree of the above-described personality variables in comparison with students with lesser manifestations of risk behaviour. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS: The assessed values were obtained using four methods - Appearance of risk behaviour in adolescents (2015), Dolejš and Skopal's impulsiveness scale (2013), Dolejš and Skopal's anxiety scale (2013), and Buss and Perry's aggression questionnaire (1992; Skopal & Dolejš, 2013). PARTICIPANTS: The target population comprised adults aged 15 to 19 years. The study sample included 2,387 respondents, which accounted for 2.75% of the study population. RESULTS: The differences between the sexes show that females manifest higher degrees of anxiety, whilst males manifest greater impulsiveness. The results document significant differences between risk individuals and those considered non-risk in personality traits, specifically verbal and physical aggression, anger, and the degree of impulsiveness. Statistically significant hostility or anxiety in connection with risk behaviour was demonstrated in neither the female nor male groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results appear to put the personality of risk individuals into a new perspective. The study points out personality traits which are likely to occur in risk individuals to a higher degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Our research focused on the meaning of life, life satisfaction, personality factors, and existential skills, while also looking into the development of the meaning of life during treatment. AIMS AND SAMPLE: The aim of the research was to determine the level of meaningfulness experienced by men recovering from addiction in the Bohnice psychiatric hospital. A total of 21 patients (men) participated in the research study. The average age of the respondents was 40.9. One of the objectives was to determine any differences between the alcohol dependency group (ALK) and the associated dependencies group (ALK +) in their experiencing of meaningfulness, life satisfaction, personality factors, and perception of existence. The qualitative part of the research was intended to identify the development of the meaning of life during treatment. METHODS: The Logo-test, Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LSQ), NEO Personality Inventory, and Existential Scale (ESK) were used to collect data. RESULTS: The measurements showed that the entire sample differed from the population norms in all the scales comprising the test battery, with the exception of Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Sex (0.05 statistical significance level). The results of the Logo-test indicate a medium-level sense of fulfilment and average mental stability without the presence of danger in the majority of those dependent on alcohol only. Alcoholics with other associated addictions were found to show a greater likelihood of existential neurosis and a reduced sense of fulfilment. The results of the meaning of life questionnaire suggest the importance of the family as the meaning of life. During treatment, the meaning of life among the respondents focused increasingly on improving their family relationships and abstinence. The results also demonstrate that treatment can help people to re-evaluate the meaning of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adolescence is often seen as an important period for further personality development. In today's world, it is therefore important to keep track of current trends in adolescents. One of them is addictive behaviour in the context of the online environment. Spending too much time online can have a negative impact on the quality of life of adolescents. It is therefore important to pay increased attention to this phenomenon and to respond adequately to the current situation., Methods: Our study focuses on the prevalence of Internet addiction among Czech and Slovak adolescents. In total, 3,741 respondents participated in the project (N = 2,642 CZ; N = 1,099 SK); their ages ranged from 11 to 19 years (M = 14.38; SD ± 2.27). The research addressed differences among individual types of schools and between sexes in relation to Internet addiction. The research focused on adolescents attending secondary schools (ISCED 2 and 3) between the ages of 11 and 19 in the Czech and Slovak Republics. A questionnaire battery consisting of a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) questionnaire was used for data collection., Results: In relation to the category of Internet use, girls did not score higher than boys either in the Czech group F(1, 2112) = .089, p = .765, or in the Slovak group F(1, 927) < .001 p = .994. There is a significant effect of school type both in the Czech group F(4, 2100) = 11.483, p < .001, and in the Slovak group F(4, 859) = 2.859, p = .023., Conclusions: Our research indicates that some adolescents, particularly boys, face issues with excessive Internet use, affecting social interactions. Further studies in the Czech Republic could explore the link between psychosocial factors and adolescent Internet use. This highlights the need to raise awareness among professionals about Internet addiction in Czech and Slovak adolescents., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background and Aims: The aim of the present study was to estimate the complex association between Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), substance use, and other risky behaviours in Czech adolescents whilst providing prevalence estimates of IGD and psychometric information regarding the Czech Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-Form (IGDS9-SF)., Methods: A representative sample of 3,950 Czech adolescents was recruited through stratified random sampling in the school setting., Results: Disordered gamers showed frequent use of specific substances such as pharmaceuticals, methylenedioxymethamphetamine, and lysergic acid diethylamide. In contrast, non-gamers had higher prevalence of alcohol, cigarettes, sedatives and tranquillisers, and marijuana use. A logistic regression, utilising IGDS9-SF raw scores and average daily gaming time, revealed a U-shaped relationship between gaming and both alcohol and cigarette use. Additionally, conduct problems such as bullying, and risky in-game behaviours were more prevalent among disordered gamers, with the exception of forging parents' signatures. The overall prevalence of IGD was 3.62% (95% CI = [3.1%, 4.3%]), with higher rates in males (5.89%; 95% CI = [4.9%, 7.0%]) than in females (1.45%; 95% CI = [1.0%, 2.1%])., Discussion and Conclusions: The Czech IGDS9-SF used in the present study showed adequate psychometric properties. The association between gaming and substance use behaviours may be specific and multifaceted depending on the severity of the gaming-related problems. Furthermore, disordered gamers may become more vulnerable due to a higher incidence of conduct problems, bullying (victimisation), and in-game risky behaviours such as engagement with microtransactions mechanics (e.g., loot box) within video games.

Nowadays, dealing with organic waste (or biowaste) remains a global phenomenon. Especially developing countries worldwide generate more than 50 percent organicwaste. In the European Union (EU) with a share of 34%, biowaste is a dominantfraction of the municipal waste (EEA, 2020). Therefore, separate collection at source and environmentally sound treatment of biowaste are of key importance. An intensive optimisation of biowaste separate collection is needed to balance demands of municipal representatives and households' needs. Based on the mixed-method approach we developed a MCDA model complemented by expert-based weighting assessment and combined with the GIS localisation tools aimed at the optimisation of biowaste container locations that reflects various spatial conditions, preconditions for the localisation of containers and its cost intensity. We concluded that changing the density of containers, distance between the address point and container, and selecting container locations that respect the habits of households and demands of the collection technology significantly affect the total and collection costs. We confirmed that the decreases in the total costs were not significant for maximum walking distances of over 95 m, and would approach zero for distances of over 230 m. When the maximum walking distance exceeds 268 m, 40% of all inhabitants would not participate in the system as it would be inconvenient for them. A recycling campaign is needed to increase their willingness to participate in the system. We provided arguments for decision-makers how to balance convenience of the biowaste separation system and collection costs by proper localisation of biowaste containers., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Our study estimates the prevalence of Internet addiction in Czech adolescents as well as differences by gender and school type. A total of 3,950 adolescents (n = 1,940 boys, n = 2,010 girls) from 11 to 19 years of age (M = 15.73, SD = 1.99) participated in the research. They completed the Internet Addiction Test, which consists of subscales for Salience, Excessive Use, Neglect Work, Anticipation, Lack of Control, and Neglect Social Life. The results indicate that adolescent girls have higher levels of internet addiction. In boys, unlike girls, internet addiction was associated with a reduction in social relationships and interactions. Our findings show interesting differences between adolescent girls and boys and the type of school attended in the Czech population in terms of Internet addiction., (© 2021 Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Current research has identified extensive changes in land-use structure and land management of Central European rural landscapes due to shifting political and economic trajectories. These changes are exemplified by diverse processes of agricultural intensification, privatization and land fragmentation, land abandonment and overall changes in modes of production. The extensive record of these historically specific processes has posed a fundamental challenge for rural landscape conservation, which is addressed in this paper. First, we identify the key contradictions in rural landscape conservation, which include (i) conservation based on cultural versus environmental/ecological values, (ii) conservation based on spatial landscape patterns versus individual landscape features, and (iii) conservation based on the preservation of past landscapes versus conservation that also address the processes of change. Subsequently, we use a case study of an existing open-air museum in Zubrnice, northern Czechia, to analyze and discuss these dichotomies. In this regional case study, we first contextualize the land-use/land-cover change (LULC) reconstructed from old maps using a thorough archive (documentary proxies) and field research (survey of agrarian terraces, clearance cairns, and remnants of orchards) that enabled the construction of a narrative of specific landscape structures and features. Finally, we integrate the collected data with a novel methodological approach that allow for the spatial identification of the landscape segments that represent the narratives of historical change in modes of rural production and are therefore suitable for integration within the existing open-air museum to improve its conservation and education status.