UnicathPsyConf 2026 – Programme Committee Members

Marina Merkaš (President, Catholic University of Croatia)
Lana Batinić (Catholic University of Croatia)
Anamarija Bogović (Catholic University of Croatia)
Josip Bošnjaković (Catholic University of Croatia)
Dragan Glavaš (Catholic University of Croatia)
Caterina Gozzoli (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore)
Maja Jazvinšćak Jembrek (Catholic University of Croatia)
Martina Knežević (Catholic University of Croatia)
Stefanos Mastrotheodoros (University of Crete)
Krunoslav Matešić (Catholic University of Croatia)
Sandra Nakić Radoš (Catholic University of Croatia)
Marija Šakić Velić (Catholic University of Croatia)
Mia Šetić Beg (Catholic University of Croatia)
Jasminka Štefulj (Catholic University of Croatia)
Ivana Vrselja (Catholic University of Croatia)

UnicathPsyConf 2026 – Organising Committee Members

Ana Žulec Ivanković (President, Catholic University of Croatia)
Maja Brekalo (Catholic University of Croatia)
Matea Bodrožić Selak (Catholic University of Croatia)
Dominik Borna Ćepulić (Catholic University of Croatia)
Patrik Grubor (Catholic University of Croatia)
Ana Haramina (Catholic University of Croatia)
Monika Knežević Dijanović (Catholic University of Croatia)
Mario Pandžić (Catholic University of Croatia)
Katarina Užarević (Catholic University of Croatia)
Nikolina Vukšić (Catholic University of Croatia)
Maja Žutić (Catholic University of Croatia)

UnicathPsyConf 2026 – Members of the Program and Organizing Committee of the Student Section

Marija Draganović
Ivana Gojsalić
Iva Ivančić
Luna Keretić
Stella Lukač
Klara Moguš
Ana Matija Parlov

1. Psychological Health in Contemporary Society
This area covers the protection and promotion of psychological health in modern living conditions, with an emphasis on prevention, early intervention, and psychological support.

2. Consequences of Living in the Digital Age
This area covers the effects of digital technologies, social media, and artificial intelligence on development, relationships, and both psychological and physical health.

3. Development and Well-being Across the Lifespan in a Changing Context
This area covers individual development and well-being across all life stages within the context of social, family, and personal changes.

4. Resilience and Coping with Stress
This area covers mechanisms of resilience and strategies for coping with stress, crises, and traumatic experiences.

5. Work and Organizational Psychology in the 21st Century
This area covers employee psychological health, motivation, and well-being in contemporary organizational and technological environments.

6. Educational Psychology and the Contemporary Educational Context
This area covers psychological aspects of learning, motivation, and the well-being of children and youth within the education system.

7. Social Relationships, Identity, and Values in Contemporary Society
This area covers psychological aspects of relationships, identity, values, and social inclusion in modern society.

8. Neuroscientific and Biological Foundations of Behavior
This area covers the neurobiological bases of cognition, emotion, and behavior, as well as their application in psychology.

9. Ethics, Professional Challenges, and the Future of Psychology
This area covers ethical issues, professional challenges, examples of good practice, and the development of the psychological profession.

10. Methodological Innovations and Contemporary Research Approaches
This area covers modern methodological approaches, open science practices, and the integration of research and practice.
 

Prof. dr. G.J. (Geertjan) Overbeek

Director Research Institute of Child Development and Education (RICDE)

Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Programme group: Preventive Youth Care

Title: Youth Prevention in a Changing Society

Abstract: In large parts of the world, prevention is considered a necessary component of a successful youth care practice. Time and again, pundits have pushed for prevention, the earlier the better. But an inconvenient truth is that together with the rise of prevention over the past decades, the prevalence of several mental health problems and stress in youths has also increased. In order to explain this paradox—and to resolve it—we need to critically reflect on different interpretations of mental health trends in youths and on how prevention is being operationalized. In this keynote, I critically reflect on the often-held perspective that youth mental health is deteriorating, and put forward a contrasting notion; that as a society we’ve developed a more encompassing view of what constitutes psychopathology, clinical-level mental health problems, and severe stress. In line with this ‘darker view’ of youth mental health, youth prevention in our changing society has developed into a screen-and-resolve kind of  ‘troubleshooting’ approach, rather than as an approach that supports the development of good health, competence, and resilience.

CV: Geertjan graduated in Developmental Psychology at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. During his PhD, he studied how parent-child interactions early in life predicted ‘social health’ in adolescence—examining whether based on their early experience with caregivers adolescents were able to develop satisfying relationships with peers and romantic partners. His interest in child and adolescent social development never left him since. In 2013, Geertjan moved to the University of Amsterdam as full professor, founding a new research lab to focus on youth prevention and developing a new master’s program on preventive youth care. The mission of the Youth Prevention Lab is to increase our knowledge about how we can stimulate the development of health, resilience and satisfying social relationships in children and adolescents worldwide.

Michael Villano (PhD)

Assistant Research Professor

Co-Director of the Virtual Reality Lab

Title: Video Game and VR Technology in Psychological Treatment and Research

Abstract: Video game and virtual reality technologies have become effective tools in psychological research and treatment. This talk highlights several studies conducted at the Notre Dame VR Lab from a wide range of subdisciplines, including moral decision-making, acrophobia, corporate strategy and the perception of art and AI-generated images. In addition to providing a technical, behind-the-scenes look at the implementation of 2D, 3D and VR-based experiments, I will discuss lessons learned from creating and maintaining a VR lab with practical insights applicable to both research and clinical environments.

Bio: Dr. Michael Villano is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Notre Dame. For the past twenty years, Dr. Villano has provided research computing consulting and taught computer programming at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. As Director of the Virtual Reality Laboratory, he develops immersive environments to study moral decision-making, acrophobia, prospective memory, corporate strategy and the perception of art and AI-generated images. He has co-authored over 50 publications with more than 2,700 citations. He holds a B.A. from Notre Dame and an M.A. and Ph.D. from New York University.

izv. prof. dr. sc. Miranda Novak

University of Zagreb, Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences

Department of Behavioural Disorders

Laboratory for Prevention Research

Title: Between Strengths and Vulnerabilities: The Longitudinal Dynamics of Positive Youth Development

Abstract: Although the 5C model of Positive Youth Development has become one of the most influential frameworks in adolescent research over the past two decades, it has also been accompanied by important theoretical remarks. In addition to the predominantly Western context in which the model has been examined, more substantial critiques concern its conceptual circularity. Some authors question whether the indicators of Positive Youth Development represent a distinct construct or merely reflect an aspect of wellbeing. In other words, it remains unclear whether the 5C characteristics predict adolescent wellbeing or whether wellbeing itself serves as a prerequisite for PYD.

The aim of this presentation is therefore to present findings from a longitudinal study of the 5C model conducted in the Croatian context and to clarify the relationship between developmental strengths, wellbeing, and adolescent mental health over time. The presentation will introduce findings from the Croatian Science Foundation project P.R.O.T.E.C.T., within which a longitudinal panel study followed adolescents from the first to the fourth year of secondary school. This study represents a comprehensive empirical examination of the 5C model outside the English-speaking context and directly addresses the criticisms outlined above.

Cross-lagged effects obtained through advanced structural modelling showed that the 5C indicators of Positive Youth Development and wellbeing follow distinct developmental dynamics, with each of the 5Cs demonstrating specific effects. The relationships between Positive Youth Development and mental health were not symmetrical nor equally strong in both directions. When symptoms of mental health difficulties were examined, depressive symptoms were associated with declines in Positive Youth Development, predicting decreases in confidence, competence, caring, and connection, while the effects of anxiety followed a similar but less pronounced pattern. Importantly, the protective effects of the 5C characteristics on later mental health were weaker than the effects of psychological symptoms on adolescents’ positive development, raising important questions for prevention policies and school-based interventions.

The findings suggest that mental health promotion and preventing mental health difficulties cannot be treated as separate directions, but rather as two parallel and interconnected processes. From the perspective of educational and public health policy, the results support the need for systematic investment in schools and developmental environments that simultaneously foster wellbeing and caring developmental relationships.

Bio: Miranda Novak is an associate professor in the Department of Behavioral Disorders at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences.

Her main interest is prevention science, with a focus on mental health promotion and prevention of internalized mental health problems. During last 10 years, she has led several projects focused on youth mental health and youth positive development.

Due to the contribution to prevention science, together with her colleagues from the Laboratory for Prevention Research, she received the award from European but also from American Society for Prevention Research. She was awarded with Fulbright Scholar stipend, she is a member of Committee for Science and Research at her Faculty and is leading a doctoral programme Prevention Science and promotion of mental health. She has mentored five doctoral dissertations and more than 50 master thesis. She is a certified gestalt therapist, has completed three levels of cognitive behavioral therapy training and is working with clients on regular basis. 

Prof. dr. sc. Jasminka Štefulj

University Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Croatia

Laboratory for Neurochemistry and Molecular Neurobiology, Ruđer Bošković Institute

Title: Integrating Peripartum Mental and Metabolic Health: Toward Personalized Risk Models

Abstract: Peripartum depressive and anxiety symptoms are among the most common mental health challenges during pregnancy and the postpartum period, with serious consequences for both maternal well-being and child development. Growing evidence indicates a complex interplay between these symptoms and maternal metabolic health. For example, gestational diabetes mellitus, the most common metabolic disorder in pregnant women, and peripartum depressive symptoms mutually elevate each other's risk, jointly contributing to adverse maternal and child outcomes. However, individual differences in vulnerability to peripartum depressive and anxiety symptoms remain poorly understood. This talk will examine the relationship between peripartum mental and metabolic health through findings from the LinkMe project, which integrates psychosocial, clinical, (epi)genetic, and metabolomic approaches to identify biological and contextual factors underlying individual differences in vulnerability to peripartum depressive and anxiety symptoms. Particular emphasis will be placed on the role of maternal metabolic health as a potential moderator of associations between biological factors and peripartum depressive and anxiety symptoms, with important implications for personalized and context-sensitive risk models.

Bio: Jasminka Štefulj is full professor of biological psychology at the University Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Croatia, and head of the Laboratory for Neurochemistry and Molecular Neurobiology at the Ruđer Bošković Institute in Zagreb. She studies the biological foundations of mental health disorders, with a particular focus on the role of serotonin system and its interactions with other regulatory systems. In recent years, her work has centered on the peripartum period. She led the establishment of a prospective birth cohort of 539 mother–newborn pairs, providing a platform for longitudinal research on maternal peripartum health and offspring development. Her team currently integrates psychosocial and clinical data with advanced metabolomic and (epi)genetic approaches to better understand the biological and contextual factors underlying peripartum mental health problems.

Stefanos Mastrotheodoros, PhD

Department of Psychology, University of Crete, Greece

Department of Youth and Family, Utrecht University, the Netherlands

Title of preconference workshop: Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling with Mplus and R*

Abstract: Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is a sophisticated statistical approach applied in the social and behavioral sciences to examine causal pathways and interdependencies among variables. This seminar focuses on the assumptions and possible applications of SEM for developmental research and provides you with hands-on knowledge on how to test these models in both Mplus and R software packages.

Bio: Dr. Stefanos Mastrotheodoros is an Associate Professor of Developmental Psychology at the Department of Psychology, University of Crete, Greece, and an affiliated researcher at the Department of Youth and Family, at Utrecht University, the Netherlands. His main research interests include changes in parent-adolescent relationships, adolescent development, and longitudinal modelling. He is also interested in investigating how changes in stress-related DNA methylation indices, sleep, and social media use might play a role in adolescent psychosocial development. He approaches his research and teaching through a risk-and-resilience lens.

*Workshop will be delivered on English.

General Guidelines for Abstract Submission

Submissions are accepted exclusively via the online submission form. Submissions sent by other means, after the deadline, or not in accordance with the guidelines will not be considered.

There is no limit to the number of submissions per author.

Regardless of the participation format, submissions must include:
• Title
• Author(s) and affiliations
• Contact author and presenter
• Abstract (up to 300 words)
• Keywords (3–5)

Referencing should be avoided unless necessary.
Abbreviations should be defined upon first use. 
It is recommended to limit statistical indicators and present results descriptively.
Authors are responsible for the accuracy of all information. 
Corrections after submission will not be possible.

Participants whose submissions are accepted must register in time for inclusion in the program and Book of Abstracts.

Presenters must bring their presentations and upload them to the room computer at least 10 minutes before the session. Poster materials will be provided by the organizers, while presenters must bring printed posters in B1 format (100 cm × 70 cm).

If unable to attend, authors whose contributions are accepted are expected to notify the Organizing and Program Committee in writing via unicathpsyconf@unicath.hr 

Forms of participations

The conference program includes presentations of scientific and professional papers from all areas of psychology and related disciplines, within the general theme “Psychology Today: Contemporary Challenges, Research and Practice.”

Authors may submit different types of papers. Empirical research papers are particularly welcome, as well as theoretical and review papers, methodological papers, evaluation studies, and reports on the evaluation of preventive and intervention activities (e.g., school programs, community programs, healthcare and counseling interventions). Presentations of good practice, case studies, action research, and project reports are also encouraged. Other relevant forms of scientific and professional contributions related to the conference theme are welcome.

Abstracts may be submitted in Croatian or English.

Forms of Participation

•    Oral presentation
•    Poster presentation
•    Symposium
•    Workshop
•    Round table
•    Presentation of a professional or scientific publication

Oral Presentation

Presentation of an individual paper lasting up to 10 minutes, followed by a 5-minute discussion. The abstract submission must include the author’s name(s) and affiliation(s), title of the presentation, aim and purpose, a description of the methodology, results, and conclusions (up to 300 words, excluding title, author names, and affiliations). The title may contain up to 150 characters including spaces. The abstract must include 3 to 5 keywords. Submit abstract for oral presentation here.

Poster Presentation

Presentation of an individual paper in the form of a poster (B1 size: 100 cm height × 70 cm width). The abstract must include the author’s name(s) and affiliation(s), title, aim and purpose, methodology, results, and conclusions (up to 300 words, excluding title, author names, and affiliations). The title may contain up to 150 characters including spaces. The abstract must include 3 to 5 keywords. Submit abstract for poster presentation here.

Symposium

An integrated session of presentations by different authors addressing a common topic, organized by a symposium chair. A symposium should include at least 4 presentations with a concluding expert commentary by a discussant of choice, or 5 presentations without a concluding commentary. The total duration is up to 120 minutes, with individual presentations limited to 15 minutes and at least 15 minutes reserved for final discussion. The symposium abstract (submitted by the chair) should explain the central idea and include the name of the discussant, if applicable (up to 300 words). Abstracts of individual contributions are also submitted by the chair and should follow the guidelines for oral presentations. All participants must register individually. Titles may contain up to 150 characters including spaces. Abstracts must include 3 to 5 keywords. Submit abstract for symposium here.

Workshop

A session involving practical activities aimed at enhancing participants’ knowledge and skills, organized by one or more facilitators and lasting up to 90 minutes. The abstract must include the facilitators’ names, a brief description of the topic, purpose, objectives, and expected outcomes (up to 300 words), as well as the title, duration, target audience, and (if applicable) participant limits. Titles may contain up to 150 characters including spaces. Abstracts must include 3 to 5 keywords. Submit abstract for workshop here.

Round Table

A discussion on a relevant professional and/or scientific topic aimed at exchanging theoretical, professional, and methodological ideas and insights. It is organized and moderated by an applicant who prepares discussion questions and invites at least 4 participants. The duration is up to 90 minutes, including 60 minutes for panel discussion and 30 minutes for audience questions. The abstract must include a brief description of the topic’s relevance, the aim and purpose, and 3 to 5 key discussion questions (up to 300 words). Participant details (name, affiliation, email) must be provided. Titles may contain up to 150 characters including spaces. Abstracts must include 3 to 5 keywords. Submit abstract for round table here.

Presentation of a Professional or Scientific Publication

Presentation of a publication (e.g., books, manuals, instruments, tests, or other diagnostic/evaluation tools), lasting up to 60 minutes including discussion. The aim is to introduce participants to the thematic scope, purpose, structure, and applicability of the publication. The abstract must include the author(s)/editor(s), affiliation(s), publication title, structure and content overview, and its contribution and applicability (up to 300 words, excluding title and author/editor details). Names and affiliations of all presenters must also be provided. Titles may contain up to 150 characters including spaces. Abstracts must include 3 to 5 keywords. Submit abstract for presentation of a professional or scientific publication here.

Notes
Submission deadlines can be checked in the "Registration" tab. The Program Committee will review submissions and decide on acceptance. Authors will be notified of acceptance by 1 October 2026. The Book of Abstracts will be available as a full PDF after the program is published.

Registration Instructions

We kindly ask all conference participants, regardless of whether they plan to participate actively as presenters or as non-presenting participants, to complete the online registration form for record-keeping purposes.

Please note: During registration, participants are required to upload proof of payment of the registration fee.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Organizing and Programme Committee
 

Important Dates

15 May 2026 – Opening of abstract submission
1 September 2026 – Abstract submission deadline
1 October 2026 – Notification of abstract acceptance
31 October 2026 – Early registration payment deadline
15 November 2026 – Late registration payment deadline
25 November 2026 – Publication of the conference program
9 December 2026 – Pre-conference workshops
10–12 December 2026 – 5th UnicathPsyConf
 

Registration Fees

*The registration fee includes conference materials, refreshments during breaks, the welcome reception, a certificate of attendance, and the conference dinner.

**The registration fee includes conference materials, refreshments during breaks, the welcome reception, and a certificate of attendance, but does not include the conference dinner.

***Registration fee for pre-conference workshop is paid separately.
 

Payment Methods and Cancellation Policy

Payment Methods

The registration fee must be paid in advance to the account of the Croatian Catholic University.
The participant’s full name must be indicated in the payment description.
Payer information must also be provided, especially if the payer and the conference participant are not the same person.

Payment details:
Payer: Name, surname and address
Recipient: Croatian Catholic University, Ilica 244, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Amount: Depending on the registration fee category
Payment model and reference number: Leave blank
Recipient’s IBAN: HR112340009111035987
SWIFT/BIC: PBZGHR2X
Payment description: Registration fee for participation in the 5th UnicathPsyConf – participant’s full name

Note: In case of any difficulties with the payment, please contact the Finance and Accounting Office of the Catholic University of Croatia by phone at +385 (0)1 370 66 21 or by e-mail at financije@unicath.hr  or unicathpsyconf@unicath.hr <

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation of conference participation is possible only in writing, by sending an e-mail to unicathpsyconf@unicath.hr 

In case of cancellation:
•    until 15 November 2026, the full amount of the registration fee will be refunded; 
•    from 16 November to 30 November 2026, 50% of the paid registration fee will be refunded; 
•    from 1 December 2026 onwards, no refund of the registration fee will be possible. 

 

tbd

Pre-conference workshops take place before the official start of the conference program and offer participants an opportunity for additional professional development in a smaller and more interactive format. The workshops are designed to deepen knowledge, develop practical skills, and encourage the exchange of experiences with workshop leaders and other participants.

Participation in pre-conference workshops requires prior registration, and the number of places is limited.

Note: Pre-conference workshops will be held on 09.12.2026. Workshops marked * can be held in Croatian and/or English. The "Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling with Mplus and R" workshop will be held on 10.12.2026. in English.

Title: Regression analysis and the use of directed acyclic graph*

Organizer: Dominik-Borna Ćepulić, PhD

Duration: 3 hours

Maximal number of participants: 10

Description: The aim of this workshop is to provide an introduction to the use of directed acyclic graphs in the planning, conducting, and interpretation of statistical analyses, with a particular focus on regression analysis. Directed acyclic graphs are graphical representations of assumed relationships among variables. They allow for a clear presentation of the structure of a research problem, facilitate the identification of potential sources of bias, and support decisions about which variables should be included in statistical models. By combining a theoretical overview with practical examples, participants will become familiar with different types of relationships among variables, as well as with the principles of constructing and interpreting directed acyclic graphs.

Requirements: knowledge of regression analysis; personal computer

Title: What we (don't) know about participatory research?*

Organizers: Matea Bodrožić Selak, PhD; Ana Žulec Ivanković, PhD

Duration: 3 hours

Maximal number of participants: 20

Description: Participatory research is increasingly recognized as an important approach in research, particularly when addressing topics that are directly related to the experiences, needs, and well-being of specific groups. At the core of this approach is the idea that research participants are not merely “sources of data”, but active collaborators in different stages of the research process.

The aim of this workshop is to introduce participants to the key characteristics, possibilities, and challenges of participatory research, and to critically discuss the involvement of participants as active collaborators in different stages of the research process. The workshop will cover the basic features of participatory approaches, different levels of participant involvement in the research process, and the key methodological, ethical, and practical challenges that arise in their planning and implementation.

Title: Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling with Mplus and R

Organizer: Stefanos Mastrotheodoros, PhD

Duration: 4 hours

Maximal number of participants: 30

Description: Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is a sophisticated statistical approach applied in the social and behavioral sciences to examine causal pathways and interdependencies among variables. This seminar focuses on the assumptions and possible applications of SEM for developmental research and provides you with hands-on knowledge on how to test these models in both Mplus and R software packages. 

Requirements: This seminar is aimed at researchers with a basic understanding of statistical assumptions and general experience in the use of either or both software programs. To engage in the practical exercises, we recommend you have a dataset on which to practice and at least one of these programs installed on your computer.

tbd

The Catholic University of Croatia is located in the western part of the city of Zagreb, at Ilica 244.
The entrance to the campus is situated on Domobranska Street.

Public Transport
From Ban Jelačić Square – 6 tram stops by lines 6 and 11 in the direction of Črnomerec
From the Zagreb Main Railway Station – 8 tram stops by lines 6 or 2 in the direction of Črnomerec
From Zagreb Bus Terminal – 9 tram stops by lines 6 or 2 in the direction of Črnomerec
By ZET Zagreb Electric Tram bus line 109 – Selska stop

By Car
Within the campus (entrance from Domobranska Street), visitors have access to an open parking area at a rate of €0.70 per hour. Outside the campus, parking is available in Zone IV of Zagrebparking.

For any additional questions, please contact us at: unicathpsyconf@unicath.hr