6th International Scientific-Practical Conference "Psychology Science for Health" : book of abstracts : 2025 May 21

Introduction. The postpartum period is associated with emotional difficulties and psychological challenges for both women and men. While mothers’ well-being is widely studied, the psychological state of fathers remains insufficiently analyzed. Methods. A quantitative study was conducted involving 201 parents (151 mothers and 50 fathers) raising their first newborn up to 4 weeks old and living with a partner. The research was conducted using an anonymous online survey. Two standardized scales were used for data collection: the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS), along with additional socio-demographic questions. Data analysis was performed using non-parametric statistical methods. Results. 77.1% of parents perceived a high level of social support, receiving the most support from significant others, slightly less from family and friends. A higher overall level of social support was more often reported by married, higher educated, and middle-aged parents. The level of psychological well-being was moderate, but men demonstrated higher well-being than women (p < 0.001), and married parents higher than those living together unmarried (p = 0.016). A moderate positive correlation was found between social support and psychological well-being (ρ = 0.64, p < 0.001), with the strongest link between family support (ρ = 0.64) and well-being, and weaker associations with support from friends (ρ = 0.51) and significant others (ρ = 0.61). Conclusion. Perceived social support is statistically significantly associated with parents’ psychological well-being while raising a newborn. A higher level of support, especially from family, contributes to better parental well-being.

Introduction. First sexual intercourse is a unique experience that affects many areas of young people’s lives, including self-perception. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to reveal the relationship between first sexual intercourse experiences and self-esteem. Methods. The study was approved with LSMU Bioethics Permit No. 2025-BEC2 0444 and conducted from March 26 to April 5, 2025 in public places in Kaunas and Alytus. Data were collected using a convenience sampling and cross-sectional survey. The questionnaire consisted of Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale and questions about first sexual intercourse. The study included 41 young adults (aged 18 to 25 years, average age 21.4 ± 1.55). Among them, 17.1% were men, 80.5% were women and 2.4% were other. Data were analyzed using descriptive and bivariate analysis, with a significance level of α = 0.05. Results. 82.5% of respondents indicated that they had sexual intercourse. The average age at first sexual intercourse was 18.2 ± 1.45, and the average age of their partners was 20.5 ± 4.21. 84.8% of respondents used a condom during their first sexual intercourse, 6.1% used other forms of protection. Self-esteem scores showed that 63% of individuals had moderate self-esteem, 32% had low self-esteem, and 5% – high self-esteem. Self-esteem scores did not vary by gender, age, education, or marital status. No differences were found between self-esteem groups regarding first sexual experiences.. A moderate correlation was found between preparation for first sexual intercourse and the total self-esteem score (ρ = 0.616; p < 0.001). There was also a weak positive correlation between the assessment of first sexual experiences and the overall self-esteem score (ρ = 0.350; p = 0.046). It was observed that individuals who felt pressure from the social environment had lower self esteem (χ2 = 2.640; p = 0.020). Conclusions. Greater preparation for first sexual intercourse and satisfaction with first sexual experiences are associated with higher self-esteem, while individuals with low self-esteem more often felt pressure from their environment, friends, or sexual partner to initiate sexual intercourse.

Introduction. Self-harm and suicide are pressing public health issues among adolescents. Parents who encounter their child’s self-harm may experience feelings of shame, guilt, inadequacy, and uncertainty about the right course of action or where to seek help. Given that the topics of self-harm and suicide remain highly stigmatized, and parents raising self-harming adolescents often go unnoticed, highlighting and further exploring these issues can not only contribute valuable data for improving support and accessibility but also help reduce stigma. Methods. This qualitative study used semi-structured in-depth interviews analyzed through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) following J. A. Smith. Six mothers raising adolescents aged 10–19 participated. Results. The analysis revealed four meta-themes: 1) “That day, my whole life turned upside down” 2) Inner wounds; 3) “Alone with this child” 4) Transforming wounds into strength. The study highlighted mothers emotional turmoil, deep self-blame, disappointment, and the challenges of raising a self-harming child. Mothers described a difficult and often frustrating search for help, pointing to shortcomings in available services. Over time, however, many mothers experienced a transformation – painful experiences gave way to newfound strength, helping them care for themselves and find meaning in their journey. Conclusions. Mothers raising self-harming adolescents underwent a profound life change marked by emotional pain and uncertainty. Their help-seeking process was ambivalent, marked by both hope and frustration. Despite the hardships, many mothers ultimately transformed their pain into strength. The study identified key support needs: professional competence and attention toward parents, accessible psychological services, and better information about adolescent self-harm, parenting, and parental support.

Introduction. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with numerous negative outcomes in adulthood, including impaired physical and mental health, higher risk-taking behaviour. Prisoners tend to exhibit higher levels of impulsivity compared to non-incarcerated men, which may be associated to various factors, including childhood abuse. It is important to understand the full range of difficulties experienced by incarcerated men to adjust rehabilitation programs effectively. The aim of this study was to explore the associations between ACEs and impulsivity among incarcerated and nonincarcerated men. Methods. Data was collected from adult incarcerated (n = 93) and non-incarcerated (n = 97) men. Data was collected using anonymous survey, which included Difficult Childhood Questionnaire (DCQ), Impulsive Behaviour Short Scale – English Version (I-8). Study was conducted in two phases: online and in-person at the Pravieniškės 1st prison, resocialization department. Bivariate analysis was used to determine the association between variables. Results. In both groups, the mean ACEs score was within the scale’s range indicating an average childhood. Incarcerated men reported more ACEs than non-incarcerated men (p = 0.005). Both groups showed the highest scores in the sensation seeking dimension. Incarcerated men expressed more urgency and lack of premeditation compared to non-incarcerated men (p < 0.05). In both groups more ACEs were associated with greater urgency, in non-incarcerated men group, more ACEs were associated with lower perseverance, there was a weak positive correlation (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Incarcerated men reported more ACEs, displayed more urgency and greater lack of premeditation compared to non-incarcerated men. In both groups more ACEs were associated with greater urgency, in non-incarcerated men group more ACEs were associated with greater lack of perseverance. These findings underline the long-term psychological effects of childhood adversity and suggest the importance of both prevention and rehabilitation.

Introduction. Sound can both enhance and disturb concentration. Most studies look exclusively at white noise or the effects of listening to music in general. In this study, we aim to fill two gaps: to investigate the effects of brown noise and to compare the effects of instrumental classical music and songs with lyrics on attention. Methods. The experiment involved 30 adult participants. Participants performed five tasks with different auditory stimuli (silence, white noise, brown noise, music with words and classical music). The loudness of all stimuli was ~65 dB. In each task, the participant read a text, mentally counted the words in the specified categories and answered a question about the plot after reading. All texts were of similar length, each containing words from two different semantic categories, with between 5 and 25 words in each category. The order of presentation of the auditory conditions was balanced using a 5 × 5 Latin square, with a 3-minute break between tasks. Participants came to the experiment twice on different days, with a mirrored sequence of auditory conditions on the second visit. The tasks were presented using a custom computer program. The data were collected in two ways: eye movement recording using “Tobii Pro” to count the number and duration of gaze fixations in the text and lateral areas; and video analysis using cameras in the lab and “Viso” and “ObserverXT” software to assess eye blinks, head/body movements and frequency of facial expressions. Results. The results showed no statistically significant differences between the different sound conditions (p > 0.05). Conclusions. This may be explained by the greater influence of individual personal traits, sensory sensitivity or method limitations. Also, a cognitively demanding task may have placed a maximum load on the cognitive systems and rendered the auditory background irrelevant in the context of the overall processes (“ceiling”; effect).

Brain health is gaining growing attention in both the healthcare and broader society, prompting significant and wellfounded debate. Recognizing the central role of the brain in overall health, WHO has prioritized brain health, defining it as the ability to function across various domains throughout lifespan. Critical elements for maintaining optimal brain health include proactive assessment of genetic and modifiable risks, implementation of targeted risk reduction strategies, and cognitive enhancement through physical and mental training. These elements are essential for preventing cognitive decline and promoting neurological well-being, especially in high-risk populations, and underscore the need for integrated health care approaches that actively address these factors. With aging populations brain health becomes crucial not only from preventive perspective, but also from the perspective of health and social care providers. Recently, the European Commission in the framework of the Eu4Health programme supported the JADE Health Joint Action (Joint Action for DEmentia Health project) as a significant EU initiative dedicated to mitigating the burden and stigma associated with dementia and other neurological disorders. This project aims to achieve this through enhanced prevention, early detection, and holistic care strategies. During the presentation JADE work packages, focusing on care pathways of people with neurodegenerative diseases, timely recognition of neurocognitive disorders, person centered care and prevention will be discussed. We hope that JADE Health project will gain valuable insights into the global impact of dementia, encompassing its influence on society, the environment, families, and broader social spheres.

Introduction. Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) is a genetic human characteristic marked by heightened emotional, social, and physical responsiveness to internal and external stimuli. While SPS has gained research attention as an individual difference in sensitivity, its relationship with broader personality dimensions, such as the Big Five traits, remains unclear. This study investigates SPS associations with the Big Five to clarify its role in personality structure. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 441 adult participants (67.6% women; M age = 45.5). SPS was measured using the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS), while personality traits were assessed with the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI). A two-dimensional analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between two variables. Results. Women exhibited significantly higher SPS than men (M = 115.72 and M = 100.92; p < 0.001). Among the Big Five traits, conscientiousness was the most pronounced (M = 5.63, SD = 1.22), while extraversion was the least expressed (M = 3.99, SD = 1.36). The data analysis revealed a weak but significant negative correlation between higher Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) and lower emotional stability (ρ = –0.388, p < 0.001). Additionally, weak but significant negative correlations were found between SPS and extraversion (ρ = –0.159, p = 0.002) and conscientiousness (ρ = –0.159, p = 0.025). Conclusions. Our study results demonstrated that higher SPS was correlated with lower emotional stability, lower extraversion, and higher conscientiousness. The weak but significant correlations suggest that SPS shares similarities with these personality traits, likely due to its nature as an emotionally reactive and more environmentally sensitive characteristic. However, the weak strength of these correlations suggests that SPS and the Big Five traits are rather distinct constructs. Recognizing personality structure could aid in developing individualized interventions for people with heightened sensitivity. Future research should explore the causal mechanisms underlying these relationships, investigate potential moderating factors.

Introduction. As academic demands increase and student mental health declines, understanding the factors related to academic success becomes increasingly important. While academic anxiety and social support have been studied to some extent, their associations with academic outcomes such as grades and exam planning have not been thoroughly explored, especially in Lithuania. The aim of this study was to examine how academic anxiety and perceived social support relate to academic achievement among 11th–12th grade students. Methods. A quantitative research design was applied using an anonymous questionnaire survey. Academic anxiety was assessed using the 11-item Academic Anxiety Scale (AAS). Perceived social support from family, teachers, classmates, and friends was measured using the HBSC social support scales. Additional socio-demographic questions were created by the author. The final sample consisted of 424 students (response rate 86%), with 45% males and 55% females. The mean age was 17.4 years (SD = 0.56). Results. Academic anxiety showed no statistically significant correlation with either the number of planned school-leaving exams (r = 0.05; p = 0.304) or the average of recent grades (rho = –0.05; p = 0.302). In terms of social support, only teacher support demonstrated a significant association with academic performance. Students who perceived teacher support had significantly higher grade averages (Md = 8.0 vs. Md = 7.0; U = 26369.5; p < 0.001) and planned to take more school leaving exams (M = 4.9 vs. M = 4.7; t = –2.29; p = 0.022). Support from family, classmates, and friends showed no significant associations with academic outcomes. Conclusions. Academic anxiety was not significantly related to grades or exam planning. However, teacher support emerged as a key factor associated with higher academic achievement, highlighting the importance of educator involvement in fostering students’ academic confidence and engagement.

Introduction. Despite its benefits, the internet can lead to addiction – problematic internet use (PIU). PIU is linked to poor mental health, a higher risk of suicide, social and academic difficulties, and poor sleep quality. First-year students are particularly vulnerable due to stress, anxiety, loneliness due to changes in routine and living environment, and an underdeveloped sense of self-regulation. The trait of Mindfulness (MI) is a potential protective factor against PIU. However, the relationship between PIU and MI has not been sufficiently explored. The main objective of this study was to determine the relationship between problematic internet use and the trait of mindfulness among first-year students. Methods. The study included 200 first-year students, with 188 in the final analysis. PIU was measured using the NineItem Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire (PIUQ-9), and MI was assessed with the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). Statistical analyses included Student’s t-test, ANOVA, Spearman’s, and Pearson’s correlations. Results. A significant moderate negative correlation was found between total PIU and MI (r = –0.41; p < 0.001). The PIU obsession subscale negatively correlated with MI facets description (ρ = –0.23; p = 0.002), acting with awareness (ρ = –0.36; p < 0.001), non-judging of experience (ρ = –0.29; p < 0.001), and non-reactivity (ρ = –0.18; p = 0.013), but not with observing (ρ = 0.07; p = 0.376). The neglect + impaired control subscale was negatively correlated with all MI facets. Conclusions. Higher levels of MI facets are associated with lower PIU risk. This suggests that mindfulness-based interventions could help reduce PIU among first-year students. Longitudinal studies are needed to explore causal links between PIU and MI.

Introduction. 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is often associated with increased emotional openness and empathy in clinical research. However, less is known about how recreational use of MDMA affects empathy among young people. Understanding this relationship is important for evaluating potential risks and socialemotional impacts of MDMA use in non-clinical settings. The main aim of this study was to examine how specific patterns of MDMA use are associated with empathy levels among young people. Objectives: (1) To assess MDMA consumption habits among young people; (2) To evaluate their levels of empathy; (3) To analyze associations between MDMA use characteristics and empathy. Methods. The study was conducted between December 2023 and January 2024, involving 245 participants selected via convenience sampling. The sample included 105 MDMA users and 130 nonusers. Data analysis involved medians, interquartile ranges, and percentages for univariate analysis, while Spearman’s rho, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were used for bivariate analysis. Results. Most MDMA users first tried the substance at ages 17–21 (60%), primarily in clubs (64.76%) and in the company of friends (86.67%). Notably, 84.64% did not test the substance before use. Women showed significantly higher levels of sympathy than men (U = 5118, p = 0.001), and older participants reported greater emotional distress when witnessing injustice (rho = 0.218, p = 0.001). Users who began with doses below 150 mg displayed higher empathy compared to those who started with higher doses (U = 286, p = 0.005). Conclusions. Empathy was not significantly associated with age of first MDMA use, frequency, setting, timing, or substance testing habits. However, a higher initial dose of MDMA was linked to lower empathy levels in young adults.