9. Support Structures and Intergenerational Support During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors

Dunja Potočnik
Institute for Social Research in Zagreb
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1256-2660
Andrej Naterer
University of Maribor, Faculty of Arts
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5947-8808
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18690/um.ff.7.2025.9

Synopsis

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.

Author Biographies

Dunja Potočnik, Institute for Social Research in Zagreb

Dr. Dunja Potočnik, is a Senior Research Associate in sociology at the Institute for Social Research in Zagreb, where she has worked since 2003. With over 20 years of experience, her research focuses on youth employment, social inclusion, well-being, migration, and ICT. She has participated in more than 40 research and expert projects, co-authored six and edited six books, and published numerous papers. Since 2010, she has been a member of the Pool of European Youth Researchers and currently serves on its Advisory Group. She is also a member of the European Commission’s Expert Group on research and innovation.

Zagreb, Croatia. E-mail: dunja@idi.hr

 

Andrej Naterer, University of Maribor, Faculty of Arts

Dr. Andrej Naterer, is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at the Department of Sociology, University of Maribor. His research focuses on children and youth, youth deviance and delinquency, and small-scale communities. He has participated in over 20 projects as a manager, researcher, or consultant. His work primarily employs qualitative methods, content analysis, and anthropological approaches. He is the author of numerous scientific books and articles and editor of the Subcultures series. He is a researcher at the Centre for the Study of Post-Socialist Societies (CePSS) and a member of several professional associations and international editorial boards.

Maribor, Slovenia. E-mail: andrej.naterer@um.si

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Volume

Two Countries, One Crisis: The YO-VID22 Pandemic Study

Pages

211-238

Published

September 3, 2025

Categories

Copyright (c) 2025 University of Maribor, University of Maribor Press

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Potočnik, D., & Naterer, A. (2025). 9. Support Structures and Intergenerational Support During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic. In A. Naterer & D. Potočnik (Eds.), Two Countries, One Crisis: The YO-VID22 Pandemic Study (pp. 211-238). University of Maribor Press. https://doi.org/10.18690/um.ff.7.2025.9