We assessed how high school dropouts in Croatia interpret their school experiences and life circumstances, using semi-structured interviews of 20 young people, M ( SD) = 18.4 (1.23) years, 63.6% male, based on questions following a chronological life course from elementary to high school. Using qualitative content analysis and cluster analysis, we yielded a typology of high school dropouts. Four high school dropout types were identified based on the factors leading to dropout: (a) the poor academic achievers, (b) the quiet dropouts, (c) the maladjusted dropouts, and (d) the stressed dropouts. Our findings confirm the previously reported role of poor academic achievement and externalizing problems in high school dropout and additionally highlight the importance of internalizing problems and highly stressful life events for dropout risk.

In 2013 in Croatia a referendum took place regarding the issue of the Constitutional definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman. However, less than a year later the Croatian Parliament passed Life Partnership Act making same-sex couples equal in all rights to married couples, except for adoption. In this study we wanted to explore reactions of LGB individuals to the referendum and immediately after the Life Partnership Act was adopted.Aim of this study was to test the minority stress model in the changing context of Croatian society regarding the rights of LGB individuals. We wanted to explore cognitive, emotional and behavioural reactions of LGB persons following the referendum (that banned gay marriages) as well as the possible changes in their attitudes after the Life Partnership Act (that makes same-sex couples equal to married couples in everything except adoption) was adopted. Therefore, we conducted a qualitative study, specifically interviews with eleven LGB individuals (homosexual and bisexual, activist and non-activists) in two time points: immediately after the Referendum and following the Life Partnership Act. We analysed the results in terms of Meyer's minority stress model. Taken in general, our findings confirm the minority stress model and highlight social context as an important determinant of minority stress for LGB individuals. The current state of the LGB rights is viewed as inadequate, but positive changes are expected in the future. The results also confirm the protective role of social support, both individual and collective, for LGBT individual when faced with minority stress. However, in some cases the LGB community fails to fulfil the expectations of its members which can turn it into a source of stress instead of support.

Numerous studies confirm the intergenerational transmission of various behaviors and characteristics from parents to children, as a result of complex genetic and non-genetic environmental processes. This large area of research began with studies on the intergenerational transmission of Holocaust trauma from parents to children and over time expanded to include various behaviors and characteristics, including the transmission of psychopathological symptomatology and mental health problems. This paper presents an overview of relevant knowledge related to the role of parental practices and social support in the process of intergenerational transmission of risk for children’s mental health. These constructs are singled out as important in this process because they can be directly affected by appropriate psychosocial interventions. However, their specific role is still insufficiently researched or unclear due to contradictory findings. The paper highlights the methodological issues of previous research in this area, provides guidelines for further research, and discusses the possible application of the existing knowledge in psychosocial work, as well as the importance of interdepartmental cooperation in this context. Key words: intergenerational transmission; mental health; children; parental practices; social support