Name and Surnamen: assoc. prof. Maša Černelič Bizjak, PhD
Links: ARRS 30141
E-mail: masa.cernelic@fvz.upr.si

Research facility (research activity location)
University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences

Research field according to ARRS classification
Science: Social sciences
Field: Psychology

Summary of research topic and field

The importance of psychological factors in prevention and in the occurrence of problems. Research topics address the importance of psychological factors that influence the maintenance and enhancement of health or participate in the occurrence of problems. Health is determined by several factors including psychological factors, and their link with the biological and socio-cultural level. Emphasis is therefore placed on the importance of dynamic interaction between psychological, biological, and sociocultural determinants at all stages of the research process. These determinants interact with each other dynamically, and may threaten or protect an individual’s mental health state.
Therefore, for effective prevention the research should necessarily take into account all levels of human function, and thus address the importance of psychological factors and aspects of mental, personal and behavioural dimension. The research approach and themes have a broad spectrum, for example, from basic research in studying of syndromes and phenomena, personality, and mental well-being, and their impact on psychological and physical health. Thus, research topics are linked to health issues or various mental health problems, eating disorders and others conditions that have also strong cultural link. In fact, the cultural environment significantly influences which disorders will be more or less common, as well as the type of symptoms with which they are expressed.
In addition, people who experienced insecure attachment in infancy are at increased risk of developing later mental disorders. However, it depends on the cultural environment in which form the mental disorder will manifest. Therefore, all of these factors need to be considered for prevention. Topics can also address the effects of different actions, such as interventions to reduce stress, depression, anxiety, learning different strategies, etc. such as various anti-stress programs, exercises.