Engagement of Preschool-Aged Children in Daily Routines.

Child engagement refers to the time spent interacting with physical and social environments according to age, abilities, and a situation. The aim of this study is to assess the functioning of children in early childhood routines using engagement assessment instruments relative to the presence of developmental disabilities, age, gender, and parental characteristics within the contexts of preschool and family routines. The sample comprised 150 children aged 3-5 (AS = 4.02, D = 0.78), including typically developing children (N = 49) and children with developmental disabilities (N = 101). To assess the children's engagement in preschool classrooms, we used the Classroom Measure of Engagement, Independence, and Social Relationships (ClaMEISR), and the Child Engagement in Daily Life Measure was used to assess the children's engagement in family routines. The results obtained indicate a significantly higher rate of engagement in routines and activities among girls and older children. Parental characteristics associated with children's engagement included employment and marital status. Children with developmental disabilities, compared to their typically developing peers, had lower levels of engagement in social relationships and functional independence in daily routines. The results indicate that both instruments have a high internal consistency and are thus suitable for future use in the Republic of Serbia.

Empowerment Practice in Families Whose Child Has a Developmental Disability in the Serbian Context.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the extent to which families of children with developmental disabilities, in relation to parents of typically developing children, feel empowered and the way that their empowerment manifests itself. DESIGN AND METHODS: The comparative research design was used in a quantitative, descriptive analysis of 99 families (57.6% were parents of children with developmental disabilities and 42.4% were parents of typically developing children). With regard to the research instrument, the Family Empowerment Scale was used based on a conceptual framework consisting of two dimensions: the level of empowerment and the way it is expressed. RESULTS: The highest levels of parental empowerment were observed in the Family domain (M = 3.9; SD = 0.6), while the lowest were in the Community domain (M = 2.9, SD = 0.9). The statistical differences between the comparing groups of parents were most pronounced in the Family domain (Mann-Whitney U = 693.00, p = 0.00). Parents of children with developmental disabilities have demonstrated a lower level of family empowerment associated with attitudes, as well as behaviours and knowledge about specific ways in which they can help their child. CONCLUSION: Based on data obtained from this study, it can be concluded that parents of children with developmental disabilities require extra support and empowerment in order to take a more active part in working with their child and making decisions relevant to his/her development in order to utilize all community - based resources available.

Social participation of women with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The general problems of persons with malignant diseases (stages of asthenia, chronic fatigue and exhaustion, followed by depression and anxiety) lead to a decrease in functional abilities and a declining quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the level of difficulty, the type of required assistance and the level of satisfaction that derives from maintaining life habits. The study also examined the correlation between the level of accomplishment of life habits and the level of satisfaction with how they are maintained. METHODS: The research was conducted at the Military Medical Academy in Belgrade and in the "Get Together" Association of Women with Breast Cancer from June to September 2012 on a sample of 30 women. A standardised questionnaire, Assessment of Life Habits-LIFE-H v.3.0, was administered. RESULTS: The lowest level of maintaining normal activities was related to education, housing and recreation. The greatest need for support to maintain normal activities was in the domains of housing, interpersonal relationships and employment The greatest satisfaction in the accomplishment of normal activities was observed in the domains of mobility, nutrition and housing, and the lowest level of satisfaction was in the domains of recreation, communication and interpersonal relationships. The correlation between the level of accomplishment of normal activities and the level of satisfaction was the highest in the domains of general physical activity, responsibility and life in a community; the lowest level was in the domains of personal hygiene, housing, mobility, employment and recreation (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that research participants found it more difficult to maintain their social activities than their everyday activities. This clearly indicates the necessity to develop and implement special advisory and educational programs aimed at preventing social exclusion and to strengthen and support personal resources in the area of the social roles of women with breast cancer.