Impact of social and psychological factors on academic achievement of university students.

Aim To examine the correlation between personality traits, learning styles, and academic achievement and a difference between students' gender, residency status and academic achievement. Methods The study included 95 students of first year of the School of Medicine, University of Sarajevo. The survey used the sociodemographic questionnaire, Index of Learning Style and Big Five Inventory. Academic achievement was represented by a cumulative grade point of each student. Results There was significant difference between the students' gender, information processing style, i.e. active/reflective learning style and academic achievement. Academic achievement was correlated with extraversion (negatively), conscientiousness and active/reflexive learning style. Conclusion With this study we wanted to improve awareness of teachers about the importance and use of different styles during lecture, to show the importance of students knowing their own preferences and learning styles, and how personality traits can affect students' academic achievement. Academic performance is an important outcome for students. It can increase motivation, student participation in class and wish to volunteer in different activities.

The relationship between protective factors and a measure of psychological resistance in women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Aim To examine the relationship of protective factors (self-esteem, optimism, proactive coping), and a measure of psychological resistance in women diagnosed with breast cancer, and the contribution of protective factors in explaining the criterion of posttraumatic growth. Methods The study included 100 women diagnosed with breast cancer. To examine optimism the Scale of Dispositional Optimism and Pessimism, the Scale of Self-esteem for self-esteem and the Scale of Proactive Coping for proactive coping were used. The posttraumatic growth measured five factors: relating to others, new possibilities, personal strength, spiritual changes, appreciation of life. Results Self-esteem, optimism and proactive coping were associated with posttraumatic growth and its factors: new possibilities, personal strength, appreciation of life. Optimism and proactive coping positively corelated also with relating to others. Final model of posttraumatic growth in all three steps (self-esteem, optimism, proactive coping) explained 20.4% variability of the posttraumatic growth total score. Conclusion Posttraumatic growth does not mean a decrease in trauma, but leads to a change in the perception and view of life. It refers to more favourable management and use of its own resources, relying on its own strengths and capabilities, identifying new opportunities and connecting with others.

Depressive Symptoms Among Sarajevo University Students: Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Correlations.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this research was to detect the presence of depressive symptoms among the student population at a Faculty of Medicine, as well to determine the correlation between the socio-demographic characteristics and students' lifestyle and depressive symptoms. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Of 800 students enrolled and asked to participate, 412 responded to the survey. The study included students from all 6 years of studies. The degree of depressive symptoms was measured by a 21-item revised form of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). We built bivariate logistic regression models to study whether age, gender, housing accommodation, year of medical training, and school success status (Grade Point Average - GPA) were associated with depressive symptoms. The results are reported as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: The study revealed that almost one third of students reported BDI >16 (30.1%). The present study did not find any association between BDI scores and study year or age difference, but we found that there was an association between housing accommodation and depressive symptoms. Students who lived with their parents had lower BDI scores than those who lived in a dormitory. The results of this study showed there is a negative correlation between physical activity and depressive symptoms in students, as well as that there is a positive correlation between depressive symptoms and substance abuse. CONCLUSION: Overall, our study confirms that the factors associated with an increase in medical students' depressive symptoms are housing accommodation, a lack of physical activity and substance abuse. Regarding failing a year of study at the medical school, as well as gender and age differences, we did not find any significant difference between students with higher compared to those with lower depressive symptoms.