A Predictive Framework for Understanding Multidimensional Security Perceptions Among Youth in Serbia: The Role of Institutional, Socio-Economic, and Demographic Determinants

This research investigates and forecasts multidimensional security perceptions among Serbian youth, explicitly focusing on the student population. It examines how demographic traits, socioeconomic status, and institutional trust and engagement levels affect how young people evaluate different aspects of security in their everyday lives. The study covers six primary dimensions of security perception: a) personal safety; b) safety at public events and demonstrations; c) perceived national threats; d) digital security and privacy; e) perception of emergencies and crises; and f) trust in institutions and security policies. A structured survey, involving 406 participants, titled “Multidimensional Security Perceptions Among Youth in Serbia”, was created to collect insights into modern security issues. The questionnaire employed a five-point Likert scale, where 1 represented “strongly disagree” and 5 signified “strongly agree." Analyses included multiple regression analysis, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and independent samples t-tests. All necessary statistical assumptions were validated to ensure the reliability and validity of the results. Descriptive statistics indicated that participants experienced moderate to moderately high perceived safety (overall M = 3.42). The personal safety domain scored the highest (M = 3.89), followed by digital security and privacy (M = 3.55) and disaster preparedness (M = 3.47). In contrast, lower perceived safety levels were noted for public events and demonstrations (M = 3.22), the perception of national threats (M = 3.07), and trust in institutional security policies, which had the lowest mean score (M = 2.93). The results showed strong links between perceived safety and factors like trust in institutions, how often individuals follow security news, and previous experiences with emergencies. Regression analysis showed that factors influencing perceived safety differed across various dimensions. Gender played a significant role in shaping personal safety perceptions, while family financial status emerged as a crucial predictor for feelings of safety at public events. Engaging in safety-related activities was linked to lower perceptions of digital security, and regularly consulting safety information sources strongly predicted both preparedness and trust in institutions. This study offers fresh perspectives on how personal traits and systemic structures influence youth security experiences. The results can guide upcoming policy initiatives, risk communication methods, and institutional changes designed to bolster youth resilience and involvement in the security sector.