5th International Scientific-Practical Conference “Psychology Science for Health“: 2024 April 17: Book of Abstracts

Introduction. Although support groups for adult children of alcoholics are widely prevalent, they receive little research attention. A review of existing studies has noted that participation in self-help groups by their members is associated with positive changes. Several researchers have highlighted the shortcomings of these groups, but the opinion is still not entirely clear. The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of adult children of alcoholics in self-help groups. Methods. The participants were seven adult children of alcoholics (aged 28–52 years). The data were collected through semi-structured interviews. For the analysis of the qualitative research, an inductive thematic analysis was chosen according to Braun and Clarke (2006). Results. The results illustrate the psychological and emotional state of the participants before participating in the groups. Another theme revealed the participants integration into the community through the feeling of being part of a family. Participants highlighted moments of identification in the groups. Spirituality was significant for most of the participants in the ACoA meetings. ACoA is a spiritual programme, but according to the participants it is not necessary to be religious or spiritual to participate in the groups. Significant individual changes also emerged in the participants compared to their life before attending ACoA. The dynamics emerged through the shock and detachment from the groups, followed by the return and leaving the isolation. Participants in the study took away a variety of experiences from their participation in the ACoA groups, including difficulties. The narratives included member changes, relationships within the group that resulted in painful experiences or traumatic impact. Conclusions. The experiences of adult children of alcoholics in self-help groups were related to community, spirituality and the dynamics of the experience. In addition to these advantages, the disadvantages of the meetings also appeared.

Introduction. More recent knowledge of what gender role beliefs currently prevail among people and their impact on the quality of romantic relationships can help to better understand opposite-sex partners and build relationships or stronger connection. Methods. The survey was conducted on December 21, 2023 – January 26, 2024. 202 people who were adults in a romantic relationship were surveyed via paper questionnaire. The survey questionnaire included 10 demographic questions. A unique questionnaire was created to determine beliefs about gender roles. Dyadic adjustment scale (Spanier, 1976) was used to determine the quality of relationships. Results. Beliefs about gender roles differed between the sexes in a few statements: about raising children (U = 3795.0, p = 0.008), sexual freedom (U = 3412.0, p = 0.006). Older people were more likely to attribute traditional roles to women in factors related to household duties. Quality of romantic relationships median was 121.0 (IQR = 109; 131), which indicates a relatively high quality of the couples’ romantic relationships. Younger people and people who were in a relationship for a shorter time feel that their romantic relationships are higher quality than older people (p < 0.001). Participants who lived together felt they had the highest quality romantic relationships (H = 7.47, p = 0.024). Participants who had children had lower relationship quality than participants who did not have children (U = 2998.5, p < 0.001). Connections between beliefs about gender roles and the quality of couple relationships were established in only four statements – participants who believed that both sexes should be equally involved in raising children, housework, and food production at home, as well as taking equal care of their appearance, had a higher relationship quality. Conclusions. Participants who believed that both sexes should be equally involved in child-rearing, housework, and cooking at home, as well as taking equal care of their appearance, scored higher in couple relationship quality scores.

Motivational interviewing is a counselling technique that aims to strengthen an individual’s motivation and commitment to change and growth. It was first introduced in 1983 and has since gained popularity. Its application in the treatment of alcohol dependence has expanded to various sectors, including healthcare. Today, motivational interviewing is used in clinical practice by psychologists and other healthcare professionals. Motivational interviewing is a counselling method developed from practical experience rather than theoretical assumptions. In recent decades, researchers have sought to identify theoretical assumptions that could explain the method’s mechanism of action. Most sources suggest that motivational interviewing combines concepts from humanistic and cognitive-behavioural psychology, and is related to the transtheoretical model, self-determination theory, and personal values theory. Regarding the practical application of motivational interviewing in healthcare, this presentation will share personal experiences of counselling in primary care and rehabilitation. Additionally, the results of a quasi-experiment conducted in the cardiology department of a rehabilitation hospital will be presented. The systematic longitudinal study was conducted at three time points: at the beginning, at the end, and three months after rehabilitation. A total of 362 patients agreed to participate and completed all baseline measurements. These patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: an experimental group (191 patients), which received conventional rehabilitation and motivational interviewing consultations, and a comparison group (171 patients), which received only conventional rehabilitation. The study results indicate that motivational interviewing is an effective method for increasing motivation to exercise and improving eating habits in patients with ischaemic heart disease. However, no significant behavioural changes were observed. Overall, the data from various studies and personal experience suggest that motivational interviewing is a valuable counselling method for changing unhealthy behaviours or addressing psychological problems of clients.

Introduction. Parenting styles define how different parents communicate, discipline, and respond to their child’s behavior. Parenting style consists of a combination of demanding/non-demanding and responsive/non-responsive modes. From these two types of characteristics, three parenting styles emerge: authoritarian, authoritative, and permissive style. Research shows that poor parenting in childhood contributes to the development of an insecure personality, low self-confidence, behavioral problems, and social difficulties. Parenting has a considerable influence on children’s emotional characteristics, for example, the development of self-efficacy. Perceived self-efficacy is defined as a person’s beliefs that they can achieve a level of behavioral or performance effectiveness that helps control events affecting the person’s life. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between parenting style experienced in childhood and self-efficacy in adulthood. Methods. This study was conducted using an anonymous questionnaire survey. Two questionnaires were used “Parental Authority Questionnaire – Modified Version” and “General Self-Efficacy Scale”. In this study 58 adults aged 25 years and older participated. Results. The results revealed that the most common parenting style experienced in childhood was an authoritative parenting style. Self-efficacy did not differ by gender, age, living place, or education. The adults who experienced a less authoritarian parenting style in childhood had a significantly relationship with higher self-efficacy in adulthood (r = –0.29, p = 0.025), while other two styles had no association. Conclusions. As a conclusion, authoritarian parenting experienced in childhood is associated with lower self efficacy in adulthood.

Introduction. Pregnancy is a time of numerous anatomical and physiological changes. Expectant women must not only nurture and accommodate the fetus but also adapt to new bodily changes. Pregnant women experience both physical and psychological, as well as social changes in their lives, and these changes can influence the emergence of distress symptoms. It is emphasized that increased maternal distress symptoms during pregnancy may be related to coping strategies employed, partner and family support and other factors. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between coping strategies employed by expectant mothers and distress experienced during pregnancy. Methods. The sample consisted of female participants who voluntarily responded to the survey. The selection criteria were: pregnant women of full age, whose mother tongue is Lithuanian. A quantitative research strategy was chosen for the study. The survey included socio-demographic questions, the Prenatal Coping Inventory (NuPCI) and the Tilburg Pregnancy Distress Scale. Results. The planning-preparation coping strategy was the most frequently used coping strategy (p < 0.001), compared with the avoidance and spiritual-positive coping strategies (planning-preparation subscale, 2.05 ± 0.58 points; spiritualpositive coping, 1.27 ± 0.79 points; and avoidance subscale, 1.32 ± 0.55 points). Overall distress was felt by 42.6% of the pregnant women in the study, with the least distress felt by pregnant women when their partner was involved (82.2%). Conclusions. 1. Statistically significant differences in the Prenatal Coping Inventory (NuPCI) between trimester, singleton and repeated pregnancies, and having or not having children were revealed. 2. Almost half of the participants (42.6%) experienced elevated levels of distress. 3. No significant correlations were found between the type of spiritual positive coping used by expectant mothers and levels of distress, partner involvement and negative affect.

Introduction. Exams cause stress, so the psychological well-being of students deteriorates. The aim of this work was to analyse associations between psychological well-being and anxiety regarding the matriculation exams. Methods. Anonymous questionnaires were used, study encompassed 72 schoolchildren from Taurage Žalgirių gymnasium. Data were collected on 21 April 2023. The Lithuanian psychological well-being scale for young people (LPGS-J) (Kairys et. al., 2013) was used to assess psychological well-being, and original questions created by the author were used to assess anxiety about exams and socio-demographic indicators. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using the IBM SPSS 29.0 software, univariate and bivariate analysis were performed, results were considered as statistically significant when p < 0.05. Results. Results revealed that the psychological well-being of participants was higher than average. Students were found to have moderate levels of exams anxiety and related emotional symptoms of anxiety. However, participants experienced lower than average physiological and cognitive symptoms. Girls had higher exams anxiety than boys (mean ranks 27.46 and 48.45; p < 0.001), experienced more physiological (mean ranks 28.01 and 47.73; p < 0.001) and emotional anxiety symptoms (mean ranks 30.3 and 43.8; p = 0.006). Nineteen-year-old high school students experienced more physiological exams anxiety symptoms, than youngest students (mean ranks 32.5 and 43.7 p = 0.036). Attending college or having other plans were associated with exams anxiety (p = 0.024). Moreover, emotional symptoms were associated with lower psychological well-being (ρ = –0,30; p = 0.001). Psychological well-being was not significantly related to gender, age, future plans or planned number of matriculation exams (p > 0.05). Conclusions. Study participants had above-average levels of psychological well-being, and average levels of exams anxiety. Girls experienced more anxiety compared to boys. In addition, older age was associated with more frequent experience of physiological anxiety symptoms. Having future plans was significant for exam anxiety, and more frequent anxiety symptoms were associated with poorer psychological well-being.

Introduction. Childhood psychological traumas has a negative impact on people’s well-being and behaviour. Overeating disorders are one of the typical reactions to traumatic events, and the subjectively perceived tendency to overeat may be the beginning of these disorders. Methods. The survey was conducted in January 2024 and involved 430 young adults. The survey instrument was an electronic questionnaire consisting of 4 parts: the Binge Eating Scale, questions about childhood psychological traumas, socio-demographic characteristics questions and questions about participant’s weight and appearance. Results. Women were statistically significantly more likely to overeat (p < 0.001). Overeating was more likely in nonreligious people (p < 0.001), in people who subjectively rated their appearance as fair or poor (p < 0.001), in participants with recent weight gain (p < 0.001), and in overweight and obese participants (p < 0.001). There was a positive weak correlation between the tendency to overeat and body mass index (Rho = 0.38, p < 0.001). Subjects who had lived with someone with addictions or mental health problems; who had experienced psychological, physical or sexual abuse were more likely to overeat than subjects who had not experienced these psychological traumas in childhood (p < 0.001). No differences were found between young people who had experienced the loss of one (or both) of their parents in childhood and those who had not. This was the only phenomenon that did not show a statistically significant difference with subjectively perceived tendency to overeat (p = 0.101). Conclusions. Participants who had lived with someone with addictions or mental health problems, or who had experienced psychological, physical or sexual abuse, were statistically significantly more likely to overeat than participants who had not experienced these psychological traumas in childhood.

Introduction. Competitive anxiety can adversely affect athletes’ physical and mental health, leading to increased stress, disrupted sleep, and physical symptoms like muscle tension and nausea. Studies show competitive anxiety can negatively affect the performance of athletes during the competition. While competitive anxiety is in field of research, pre-competitive anxiety in volleyball players remains relatively understudied. This study aims to assess volleyball players’ pre-competitive anxiety components and their links with social-demographic (participants’ age, gender and education of athletes) and sport characteristics. This complex research may provide valuable insights into how anxiety manifests in volleyball players and its potential impact on their performance and health. Methods. Participants were 37 male (48.6%) and female volleyball players from four Lithuanian teams (age median 23.0 years). Questionnaires on Competitive State Anxiety (CSAI-2), sociodemographic, and sport characteristics were completed 40 minutes before the pre-competition warmup. Results. Both males and females showed significant correlations between cognitive and somatic anxiety (p < 0.001). Females exhibited higher cognitive anxiety compared to somatic anxiety (p < 0.05), while males’ cognitive anxiety was linked to age (p < 0.05). In the analysis of sporting characteristicsrelationship between cognitive anxiety and years of volleyball experience (p < 0.05) was observed. Additionally, players with better anxiety management knowledge displayed lower cognitive anxiety levels and reduced self-confidence (p < 0.05). Conclusions. I. Male and female volleyball players showed similar pre-competitive anxiety levels. However, the components of pre-competitive anxiety manifested and interacted with each other differently within gender groups: females showed higher cognitive anxiety compared to somatic anxiety, while males’ cognitive anxiety was associated with age. II. Anxiety indicators differed between some subgroups distinguished by sport characteristics: perceived sufficient knowledge (negatively) and duration of participation in volleyball (positively) were associated with athletes’ precompetitive anxiety indicators.

Introduction. Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) is a personality trait characterized by heightened central nervous system reactivity and deeper cognitive processing of physical, social, and emotional stimuli. As a result, individuals with higher SPS levels are generally expected to display heightened responsiveness to stressors. The aim of the present study is to examine how SPS influences various stress responses when individuals are subjected to induced cognitive stress. Methods. Twenty participants (45% females; age mean 25.80, SD = 7.35) participated in this quasi-experiment, utilizing a counterbalanced small-N “within-group” design with replication. Two conditions for each participant were applied: untimed Stroop task performance (comparison effect) and timed Stroop task performance (stress effect). Sensory processing sensitivity was assessed using the Highly Sensitive Persons Scale (HSPS). In each condition, various stress responses were assessed: heart rate (measured through a biofeedback apparatus), subjective stress evaluation (via questionnaire), and cognitive performance (Stroop task). Results. The mean score of HSPS in the sample was 114.95 (SD = 26.51). While the stress condition induced significant changes in stress responses (p < 0.001), the HSPS score was not significantly related to participants’ heart rate or subjective stress evaluation, nor their changes (p > 0.05). Additionally, sensory processing sensitivity was only partially related to cognitive performance during Stroop task, as individuals with higher sensory processing sensitivity made fewer errors during comparison (Rho = 0.32; p = 0.043) and stress exposures (Rho = 0.49; p = 0.004). However, these associations did not extend to the mean reaction time or the number of response failures, as they did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). Conclusions. The results of this study suggest that while sensory processing sensitivity may not directly impact physiological stress responses, it does seem to influence cognitive performance, particularly in tasks requiring focused attention.

Systematic supervision is essential to evidence-based training in the early mental health specialists‘ career and continuous education. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and third-wave CBT therapies (including schema therapy) are considered one of the leading evidence-based psychotherapies for various mental health conditions and personality disorders. Apart from shaping the newly developed skills of mental health specialists, the supervision is a crucial part of continuous professional development. CBT supervision can effectively support therapists and help students with personal and professional growth. It aims to ensure clients receive good psychotherapy and hone therapist skills throughout their therapeutic career. This process can better ensure that clients obtain at least the regulated standard of care. The secondary aim of supervision is to endorse the development of the supervisee’s expertise by affording them hands-on clinical experience combined with supportive and corrective training. Over time, the supervisors take more of a backseat, encouraging the supervisee’s autonomy (e.g., in terms of treatment planning and outcome assessment) and leading them toward organizational goals, such as accreditations and independent psychotherapeutic practice. In the presentation, definition and need for supervision in continuous professional development will be discussed. Objectives of CBT supervision, effect, competences used in CBT supervision and forms of CBT supervision will be presented.