VSF Sveikatos psichologijos katedra (07.06)

Background and Objectives: One of the strongest early factors influencing later psychoactive substance use is adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Studies investigate a variety of adverse experiences in relation to substance use, yet not all adverse childhood experiences are equal in intensity and harm. Our study aimed to address this gap by examining in detail the associations between individual ACEs, broader ACE categories, and different forms of psychoactive substance use. Materials and Methods: The study included 709 participants who completed self-report questionnaires. ACEs were measured using the MACE questionnaire. Marijuana use was measured using the CUDIT-R, alcohol use using the AUDIT, and heavy psychoactive substance use using the ASSIST. Linear regression analyses were used to predict associations. As expected, only a small part of the sample reported hard drug use; some analyses are limited to substantially fewer observations. Results: All regression models were statistically significant and predicted all three categories of psychoactive substances, but if we count the individual adverse experiences, the results become different. Although the results showed that ACE is a significant predictor of hard drug use and explains 25% of the variance, it is separately only emotional neglect that is associated with hard drug use. The regression analysis also explains 14% of the variance in marijuana use, but when considered separately, we found associations only with emotional neglect. The severity of alcohol use explains 13% of the variance, but only a few ACEs reach statistical significance: peer physical bullying, physical violence, and sexual abuse. Conclusions: The findings of our study suggest that adverse childhood experiences may not be qualitatively equivalent and therefore may not be evaluated only as a cumulative risk score. Separate ACE evaluations, instead of aggregate calculation of ACEs, may be useful to understand better which specific negative experiences have the greatest impact on subsequent use of psychoactive substances. The regression models explain only a small portion of the variance, which suggests that other factors may contribute to a larger share.

Older age is associated with declining cognitive abilities, but higher-order intellectual abilities change is more debated. This study aims at analysing the intelligence structure of adults with ischemic heart disease. To achieve this goal a cross-sectional study was conducted. One hundred and eighteen patients from the Cardiology Department completed the short version of the Intelligence Structure Test I-S-T 2000 R and provided information on sociodemographic indicators. A comparative analysis of the results revealed that the intellectual abilities of older patients (51-70-year-olds) were lower than those of younger ones (41-50-year-olds), and the abilities of adults with the disease were lower than adults of the same age in the general population. Only the ability to perform mathematical operations with numbers stands out as a strength of the intellectual profile of younger adults, whereas the intellectual profile of older adults is considerably less stable. If verbal ability (the capacity to understand the meaning of words) is a strength, while figural ability (the capacity to understand patterns expressed in figures and part-to-whole relationships) is a weakness, then mathematical abilities are unstable: the ability to perform mathematical operations is a strength, whereas the ability to understand patterns expressed in numbers is a weakness. This result is related to the intelligence structure of older patients with ischemic heart disease consisting of two components, namely, verbal-numerical, and figural intelligence. Future research should control more secondary variables to reduce their impact on outcomes, compare the intelligence structure of persons with different education and/or level of abilities making smaller age-range groups.

This study aimed to evaluate the role of egocentric and allocentric perspectives in facilitating far transfer (improvement of emotional state and psychomotor functions) following cognitive training in stroke patients.

Impaired mentalizing abilities are found among persons with chronic pain, yet it is still unknown why. The current study focuses on mentalizing abilities and how these could be affected by different pain factors, alexithymia traits, and other aspects of psychological functioning (depression, anxiety, attention) in persons experiencing chronic pain.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms, including cognitive decline and reduced quality of life. Identifying reliable biomarkers for disease progression and symptom severity remains a critical challenge. In this study, levels of oxidative stress-related microRNAs (miR-24-3p, miR-103a-3p, miR-320a-3p, miR-494-3p, miR-126-5p, and miR-543) within blood serum extracellular vesicles (EVs) were examined in a cohort of 93 PD patients to assess their associations with cognitive function, symptom severity, quality of life, and other clinical characteristics. The methods included microRNA extraction from blood serum EVs, followed by cDNA synthesis and RT-qPCR for expression analysis. Upregulation of miR-126-5p, as well as downregulation of miR-24-3p showed the strongest associations with symptom severity and cognitive decline, whereas downregulated miR-320a-3p levels correlated with patient-reported quality of life in PD patients. Downregulation of miR-103a-3p, and miR-543 expression showed slight associations with motor symptoms, cognitive function, and quality of life domains; however, some of these associations lacked statistical power. These findings indicate that specific microRNA expression profiles in extracellular vesicles are associated with PD symptom severity and progression, supporting their further evaluation as biomarkers in larger independent cohorts.

Paauglystė – sudėtingas laikotarpis, pasižymintis rizikingo elgesio apraiškomis, identiteto, gyvensenos ir socialinių ryšių formavimusi. Vaidmens modelio turėjimas paauglių pasirinkimus gali pakreipti tiek į sveikai gyvensenai palankią, tiek į žalingą pusę. Dėl to šiame tyrime Lietuvos moksleivių gyvensenos ir sveikatos tyrimo (HBSC) pagrindu buvo siekiama išsiaiškinti, kokius vaidmens modelius turi paaugliai ir kaip tai gali prognozuoti jų gyvensenos pasirinkimus. Tyrime dalyvavo 6628 5–11 klasių moksleiviai iš 124 Lietuvos mokyklų. Buvo vertinama, kokius vaidmens modelius turi paaugliai (jei turi) ir kaip tai prognozuoja jų miego trukmės, fizinio aktyvumo (kasdienio ir intensyvaus), mitybos, rūkymo, alkoholio vartojimo ir socialinių tinklų naudojimo rodiklius. Nustatyta, kad didžioji dalis (71 proc.) paauglių turi vaidmens modelius, dažniausiai šeimos narius (33 proc.), draugus (24 proc.), socialinių tinklų įžymybes (15 proc.), sportininkus (12 proc.) ir televizijos žvaigždes (11 proc.). Vaidmens modelio turėjimas dažniausiai prognozavo sveikai gyvensenai palankesnius pasirinkimus, labiausiai – šeimos nario (palankesni miego, fizinio aktyvumo ir sveikos mitybos rodikliai) ir sportininko (palankesni fizinio aktyvumo ir mitybos rodikliai) modeliai. Mažiausiai sveikai gyvensenai palankūs vaidmens modeliai buvo draugas (palankesni fizinio aktyvumo ir mitybos rodikliai, prastesni rūkymo ir socialinių tinklų naudojimo rodikliai) ir socialinių tinklų įžymybė (prastesni miego ir socialinių tinklų naudojimo rodikliai).

Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) is a personality trait characterized by heightened responsiveness to environmental stimuli, often linked to introversion and emotional reactivity. This study evaluated the factorial structure of the Lithuanian version of the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS) and its associations with anxiety, depression, and personality traits. A cross-sectional survey of 1130 Lithuanian employees was conducted. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a three-factor model: Low Sensory Threshold and Withdrawal, Ease of Excitation, and Aesthetic Sensitivity. HSPS scores were negatively correlated with Extraversion and Emotional Stability and positively associated with anxiety and depression symptoms. The Lithuanian HSPS is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing SPS in adults.

Introduction. Scientific literature indicates that for women, engaging in sexual activity out of a sense of obligation may be associated with lower relationship satisfaction (RS). Research on sexual motives has primarily focused on student samples, while studies on relationship satisfaction often involve married couples. Therefore, it remains unclear how different sexual motivations (SM) relate to relationship satisfaction across genders and age groups. Aim. To examine the associations between sexual motives and relationship satisfaction. Methods. The study included participants aged 18 to 50 (n = 205) who had been in a romantic relationship for at least one year (regardless of whether they were cohabiting, married, or not living with their partner). The research was conducted via publicspace surveying across Lithuania. Data were collected through an anonymous questionnaire comprising the CSI scale (to measure relationship satisfaction), the SexMS scale (to assess sexual motives), and questions about socio-demographic variables. Data analysis was conducted using both univariate and bivariate methods. Results. Among participants aged 18–30, no significant associations between sexual motives and relationship satisfaction were observed (p > 0.05). However, among women aged 31–50, lower satisfaction was associated with External sexual motives or Amotivation, while higher satisfaction was associated with Intrinsic sexual motives (p < 0.05). In the same age group, men reported lower satisfaction when more strongly endorsing Introjected motives, and higher satisfaction when more strongly endorsing Identified, Intrinsic, or Integrated sexual motives (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Autonomous sexual motives (Intrinsic, Identified, Integrated) are associated with higher relationship satisfaction, while non-autonomous motives (External, Introjected, Amotivation) are associated with lower satisfaction. However, these associations were observed only within the 31–50 age group.

Introduction. In Lithuania, the relationship between academic anxiety and social support among 11th–12th grade students remain insufficiently studied. Aim. To analyze the relationship between academic anxiety and perceived social support. Methods. The study involved 422 respondents (response rate 86%). Of these, 46% (n=194) were boys and 56% (n=228) were girls, with a mean age of 17.4 years (SD=0.56). A quantitative method was used – an anonymous questionnaire. Academic anxiety was assessed using the Academic Anxiety Scale (11 items), and social support was measured using HBSC subscales (14 items). Added sociodemographic questions were created by the authors. The study was conducted during class in schools from Kaunas, Marijampolė, and Panevėžys. Results. It was found that 40% of students experienced average or above-average academic anxiety. Girls and younger students reported significantly higher anxiety (p<0.001; p<0.001, respectively). It was found that most students received the greatest support from classmates and the least from teachers. Girls received the most support from friends and classmates (p<0.001; p<0.001, respectively). Older students reported more support from friends, family, and teachers mokytojų (p<0,001; p=0,010; p=0,002, respectively), while classmate support did not differ between age groups. The results revealed a statistically significant association between perceived social support and academic anxiety. Students who felt greater support from teachers and classmates experienced higher academic anxiety (p<0.001). Conversely, support from family and friends was negatively associated with anxiety (p<0.05). This means that students who felt greater support from family and friends experienced lower academic anxiety. Conclusions. Higher academic anxiety was characteristic of girls and younger students. Sources of social support varied according to age and gender: girls typically received support from classmates and friends, while older students received support from family, teachers, and friends. Support from teachers and classmates was associated with higher academic anxiety, while greater support from family and friends was associated with lower levels of anxiety.