Research Assistant Bruno Škovrlj at International Congress on Early Intervention & Well-Being (EIWB 2026); Nicosia, 12-14/05/2026

At the EIWB 2026 Conference, under the theme Achieving Balance in Life,organized by Cyprus International University and Ministry of National Education, from May 12th to May 14th, 2026. in Nicosia, Cyprus, research assistant Bruno Škovrlj held a presentation “Problem Gaming and Problem Social Media Use Among Youth in Croatia”

The presented work was created as part of the project Substance Abuse among the General Population in the Republic of Croatia: 2023, conducted in collaboration of the Pilar Institute and Croatian Institute of Public Health. The patterns of gaming and social media use among adolescents and young adults in Croatia were presented. Furthermore, prevalence estimates of problem gaming and problem social media use in this age group were presented. The presentation also included risk factors associated with problem gaming and problem social media use, including longer daily time spent gaming or using social media, lower personal wellbeing, and lower self-liking.

The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions aimed at strengthening and preservation of self-esteem among adolescents and young adults, as well as encouraging moderate and responsible use of digital technologies.

Substance abuse among the general population in the Republic of Croatia Project: 2023