20.500.12556/DKUM-95224 Support structures and intergenerational support during and after the COVID-19 pandemic This chapter examines the role of formal and informal support structures in shaping the well-being and resilience of youth in Croatia and Slovenia. In both countries, families remain the most important support system, particularly mothers, who are consistently identified as central figures in providing emotional and practical assistance. While peers also play a crucial role, the pandemic disrupted these relationships and reduced opportunities for in-person interaction. Institutional support, such as educational and employment services, remains important but often perceived as inaccessible or poorly adapted to the actual needs of youth. At the same time, a low level of trust in political institutions and the welfare system was observed, particularly in Croatia, which reinforces reliance on familial networks. Digital platforms increasingly serve as alternatives for connection and advice, although they cannot replace interpersonal support. Policy implications stress the need to expand accessible, youth-centred services, including mental health care, career guidance, and community-based initiatives. Strengthening institutional trust and investing in participatory frameworks would help diversify support beyond families and foster more resilient pathways for young people's social integration and life transitions. youth support family networks institutional trust mental health Croatia and Slovenia podpora mladim družinska omrežja institucionalno zaupanje Slovenija Hrvaška true false true Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik Znanstveno delo 2025-09-09 12:34:33 2025-09-09 12:34:34 2025-09-11 03:09:19 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2025 0 0 Str. 211-238 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 2025-09-03 316.36:316.346.32-053.6 247088643 248166147 10.18690/um.ff.7.2025.9 RAZ_Potocnik_Dunja_2025.pdf RAZ_Potocnik_Dunja_2025.pdf 1 EA2C0897CDA3468F6760F42E4A818DF9 17075a7e659af75859f21ed5e5a344a378643fd4142bb1b16ad40d49b0ccdc96 daaae8f1-8d68-11f0-9299-00155d000105 https://dk.um.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=198004 https://doi.org/10.18690/um.ff.7.2025.9 1 9485ccf7-8d68-11f0-9299-00155d000105 https://dk.um.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=198003 Filozofska fakulteta Univerzitetna založba Univerze v Mariboru 0 0 0