Vilnius University Institutional Repository
Not a member yet
51864 research outputs found
Sort by
PPerceptions of femininity among women with and without suicidal ideation.
No full textWomen's higher rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts are less likely to receive scientific attention due to social attitudes associated with femininity. Femininity is perceived as more of a protective factor in the topic of suicidality due to women's lower suicide rates and their suicidality is seen as a desire for attention, but analyses of women's social experiences show that this is not always true. The aim of this study is to reveal and compare the subjective perceptions of femininity of women with and without suicidal ideation. In the course of the study, 707 women answered the open-ended question "What does femininity mean to you?" and indicated whether they had suicidal thoughts. Women's responses to the open-ended question were analysed using content analysis. The suicidal ideation of the participants was assessed and the whole sample was divided into two groups: those with and without suicidal ideation. The chi-square (χ²) test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare the responses to the open-ended question between the groups with and without suicidal ideation. The results reveal that themes related to feelings and their expression, inner resources, reproductive aspects, relationship with others, relationship with self, efficacy, adaptation to others and identity are prominent in Lithuanian women's conception of femininity. Women with suicidal thoughts were more likely to mention relationship with self and social construct, while those without suicidal thoughts were more likely to mention relationship with others, gentleness and empathy. These results suggest that femininity is not a univocal construct and cannot be attributed solely to protective factors, as women's subjective perceptions of femininity are varied and are also associated with suicide risk
Transformation of school culture during reorganization: change management and co-creation development.
No full textThe Master's thesis analyses change management and co-creation in the transformation of school culture during reorganisation. In order to reveal the problem of the research, the aim is to analyse the processes of transformation of school culture during reorganisation and to identify the ways of change management and co-creation development. The objectives were: to analyse the concept of school culture and its development in the context of school reorganisation; to identify the factors of change management and co-creation in the development of school culture; to empirically investigate the transformation of school culture, the involvement of students and school councillors in the processes of school culture development, and the challenges of co-creation in the context of school reorganisation. For the empirical study, a mixed research design was chosen, applying quantitative and qualitative research methods. Semi-standardised interviews with 9 members of the X School Council: teachers, parents. 359 pupils of reorganised school X participated in the pupil questionnaire. An empirical study of school culture transformation processes during reorganisation found that the most effective ways of managing change are implementation of managerial decisions, communication and involvement of community members. The greatest value is created by the involvement of the whole community in common activities (projects, events, trips) and positive emotional well-being (good mood, goodwill and respectful communication); the evaluation of the involvement of school community members in the school's culture-building processes found that the school leader's consistent actions effectively add to the development of a co-creative culture in school. Teachers play an important role in the development of co-creation, not only by being actively involved in the development of the school culture themselves, but also by encouraging and empowering the involvement of other members of the community; the main problems and challenges identified in the assessment of the impact of co-creation on this process are the reconciliation of different school cultures, community resistance to change, psychological-emotional difficulties of community members, the search for organisational-managerial solutions to the challenges of staff management; the assessment of the pupils' involvement in the process of developing the culture of the school shows that pupils are not active participants in the process of developing the culture: the intensity of cooperation between pupils from different schools is not high; girls are much more active than boys in school culture creation processes and want more involvement in school culture co-creation
The role of educational leaders in developing student social, emotional and healthy lifestyle competence. perspectives of experts.
No full textSocial, emotional and healthy lifestyle competence is one of the seven general competences that should be integrated into the education of students through all educational subjects, based on general educational programs. The importance of this competence is also reflected in the state strategy "Lithuania 2050", where one of the objectives is comprehensive education, understood not only through academic knowledge, but also social-emotional and other general competences, emphasizing the ability of citizens to take care of themselves and others. According to 2022 data, when assessing the self-efficacy of students in grades 5–9, it turned out that 37 percent students rarely managed to implement what they had planned, and almost half of the students indicated that they were often unable to solve the problems that arose, 46 percent young people participating in the study indicated that they experience two or more health complaints more often than once a week, 73 percent 5–9 grade girls and 55 percent boys were characterized by insufficient intensive physical activity. In 2024, against the background of crisis events, every fourth student in grades 5–11 experienced a significantly increased level of anxiety. Poorer physical and emotional health, a high tendency to drink alcohol, and a higher risk of suicide are more common among adolescent girls than boys; they are also significantly less physically active and more dependent on social networks. The United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda for 2030 emphasizes the importance of school leadership in achieving Goal 4 – ensuring quality education for all. Although the importance of competence has been recognized in strategic education documents since the National School Concept in 1989, ensuring its development depends on different factors – the student’s family, socio-cultural context, and educational opportunities provided at school. The aim of this study is to reveal the views of experts on the role of educational leaders in developing students' social, emotional and healthy lifestyle competence. To achieve the aim, an analysis of scientific literature was conducted, and a qualitative study was conducted - an analysis of data collected during semi-structured interviews with 11 experts. The results of the qualitative study revealed that the role of educational leaders depends on the position in which they operate. From leaders at the level of national education policy, the experts participating in the study expect political will and a high priority for social, emotional and healthy lifestyle competence in creating harmony, but not a confrontation between academic results and competences. The priority provided should be reflected through practical support – investing in specialists, improving the qualifications of teachers, developing methodological tools, reflecting the importance of competences in assessment models. Educational leaders operating at the local level – school principals, teachers – are expected to have leadership intelligence – educational leaders themselves must be role models for young people in the social, emotional and healthy lifestyle areas. Heads of educational institutions should not only be managers, but also leaders who inspire the entire community, implement and support initiatives, create an exemplary school culture and microclimate, and not wait for decisions from institutions that shape educational policy
Reflections on the experiences of menopause in art therapy.
No full textMenopause is often approached as a biological phenomenon, with little focus on women's subjective experiences. This study explores these experiences through the process of art therapy. There appears to be limited research on menopause and art therapy in Lithuania to date. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of women undergoing menopause in the context of art therapy. Objectives: 1. To describe and organize themes related to menopausal experiences that emerged during the art therapy process; 2. To examine how visual expressions reflect these experiences and interact with written reflections. Methods. This qualitative, phenomenological study applied inductive thematic analysis and art – based – research principles. Data were collected during six group art therapy sessions and included visual expressions, written reflections, and the researcher’s journal. A multimodal analytical approach was used – written and visual data were interpreted as complementary forms of expression. Results. The analysis revealed four key thematic groups: „The truth is – I’m afraid.”, I am different, but „my new self is not yet visible”, „Thinking about death teaches me to live“, and „I find peace and inspiration in nature’s cycles.” Throughout the art therapy process, a trajectory emerged – from fear and symbolic death toward relationship: with oneself, the body, and time. Visual expressions and written reflections functioned as complementary means of articulating, exploring, and transforming their experience. Conclusions. The menopausal experiences of the study participants appeared as multilayered – involving physical, emotional, social, and existential aspects. The analysis revealed four main themes related to symbolic death and loss, changes in identity, empowerment, and the search for inner resources. The study also highlighted insights into the interaction between visual creative work and written reflections within the context of art therapy. Keywords: art therapy, menopause, perimenopause, women’s experiences, qualitative study
Nurses' actions in assessing psychosocial risk factors for postpartum depression in women.
No full textLaima Gražytė. Nurses' actions in assessing psychosocial risk factors of postpartum depression in women. Thesis supervisor - assistant dr. Renata Šturienė, thesis consultant - prof. dr. Natalja Istomina. Introduction. The diagnosis of postpartum depression occurs in the majority of women after childbirth, which can have negative consequences not only for the mother's, but also for the baby's well being. Actions taken by nurses during the first home visit, developing a prevention and early intervention plan and managing psychosocial risk factors, contribute positively to improving women's health. The aim of the study was to analyse the actions of nurses in assessing psychosocial risk factors for postnatal depression in women. Methods and Materials. The methods used were systematic analysis of scientific literature, semi-structured interviews, qualitative content analysis. Based on the reviewed scientific literature, the author's own interview plan was developed. The approval of the Research Ethics Committee of the VU MF Research Committee No. (1.7 E) 150000-KT-21 for the use of the research instrument was obtained. The interview method was carried out from 29 January to 28 February 2025 at Primary Health Care Unit X. The participants were 10 nurses who visit mothers at home for the first time after childbirth. Results. Nurses assess the emotional and physical health of both the woman and the baby during the first postnatal home visit, noting changes in the mother's emotional state. Respondents use various questionnaires in their work practice, including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Questionnaire, and long-term monitoring of the woman's condition and regular communication are important for the development of a postnatal depression prevention and early intervention plan. The information provided to the women by the researchers on health issues and on the signs and possible risks of postnatal depression contributes to the management of psychosocial risk factors for postnatal depression. Conclusions. 1. Nurses' first home visit to postpartum women assessing psychosocial risk factors for postpartum depression found that nurses' first home visit to postpartum women is important for both the mother's and the baby's well-being. Respondents assess the emotional and physical health of both the woman and the baby, and evaluate the family situation. 2. Nurses agree that these working tools enable women to avoid the potential onset and worsening of their condition by developing a plan for prevention and early intervention of postnatal depression. In their work practice, they use various questionnaires that help to identify symptoms and provide help in time, as well as leaflets with information on where to go 3 for help and to which treatment facility. 3. Nurses carry out a number of actions that contribute to the management of psychosocial risk factors for postnatal depression. They provide information on health issues and on the signs and possible risks of postnatal depression, and refer women to social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists
Peculiarities of students' lifestyles and factors influencing them.
No full textRelevance of the work. Student lifestyle is formed at a very important stage of life, when a person's daily habits, environment and responsibilities change. These changes affect health, therefore it is important to assess what factors determine their behaviour. The purpose of the study - is to determine the characteristics of students' lifestyle and the factors influencing them. Research objectives. (1) to assess the characteristics of students' lifestyle (nutrition, physical activity, sleep habits and harmful habits). (2) to identify social, psychological and environmental factors influencing students' lifestyle. (3) to assess the relationship between students' lifestyle characteristics and their health status. Research methodology. 250 respondents who are currently studying at a university or college answered the questionnaire. Taking into account the factors of nutrition, sleep, physical activity and harmful habits, hypotheses were put forward that confirmed or denied their relationship. Results. The study data revealed a statistically significant relationship between a sleep duration of less than 6 hours and more frequent stress experiences, as well as between poor work-rest balance assessment and daily fatigue. It was found that students who eat breakfast regularly consume fast food less often, and those who experience stress more often assess their diet as unbalanced. A relationship was also found between smoking and physical activity - smoking students play sports more often than non-smokers. Although it was expected that students who play sports would consume more fruits and vegetables, the study data showed the opposite trend. It was also found that women consume healthy foods more often than men - dairy products, fruits and vegetables. Conclusions. The study showed that the lifestyle of students is complex and includes aspects of nutrition, physical activity, sleep, mental health and harmful habits. Some students do not follow health-promoting recommendations. Lack of sleep, low physical activity, unbalanced diet, alcohol and nicotine consumption are common. Students' lifestyles are determined not only by personal choices, but also by external factors such as: social support (family, friends), financial opportunities, living environment and psychological state. These factors can both promote and hinder healthy habits
Flexibility and surmountability of boundaries in virtual communication.
No full textThis study analyzes how the expression of loss on the social network “Facebook” reveals the interplay between language, emotion, and publicity in virtual communication. The aim of the research was to define the concept of boundaries in virtual public space at a theoretical level and to empirically examine the fluidity and negotiation of these boundaries in public farewell posts. The study also explored respondents’ perceptions and attitudes toward this form of communication. Based on the analysis and the results of a sociolinguistic survey, it became evident that the sentiments expressed in farewell posts on “Facebook” are often intended to maintain a symbolic connection with the deceased, yet these messages simultaneously become visible to a wider audience than originally intended. The findings indicate a merging of public and private discourse in virtual space, where expressions of loss take on a multilayered character shaped by individual attitudes, age, and users’ relationship with social media. While the boundary between public and private is often clearly recognized at the attitudinal level, the abundance of publicly shared posts about loss suggests a certain societal ambivalence. This study highlights the evolving nature of contemporary communication and may be useful in analyzing not only shifts in communicative practice but also changes in how the notion of publicness is reflected in language within virtual contexts
Sąryšis tarp energijos vartojimo ir ekonomikos augimo: Baltijos šalių analizė.
No full textThe main purpose of this Master’s thesis is to examine whether energy consumption has a statistically significant long- or short-run causal relationship with economic growth in the Baltic States—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—over the period 1998–2023. The work is grounded in energy-augmented growth theory and explores the direction, presence, and strength of the relationship between energy use and GDP per capita, while controlling for labor and capital inputs. The thesis is structured into four main parts. The first part presents the theoretical background, offering a critical review of classical and energy-augmented economic growth models, the second one summarizes key empirical findings and hypotheses from international energy–growth literature. The third part outlines the research methodology, detailing data collection, variable selection, and the econometric strategy employed. The fourth part focuses on empirical analysis, interpretation of results, and formulation of conclusions and recommendations. Empirically, the study applies a robust panel data framework. It begins by testing for stationarity using panel unit root tests and then evaluates long-run relationships among variables through Pedroni and Kao cointegration tests. To estimate the long-run elasticities of output with respect to capital, labor, and energy, both Fully Modified OLS (FMOLS) and Dynamic OLS (DOLS) estimators are used. Short- and long-run causality dynamics are assessed using a Panel Vector Error Correction Model (PVECM), allowing for both temporal and structural insights into the energy–growth nexus. The findings confirm the existence of long-run cointegration between GDP, energy use, labor, and capital across the three Baltic states, indicating a stable long-term association. However, Grangercausality tests reveal no statistically significant causal link from energy to growth or vice versa, thus supporting the neutrality hypothesis. These results suggest that energy consumption in the Baltic region does not act as a direct driver of economic growth. Accordingly, energy policy should not be centered solely on stimulating GDP but should instead emphasize goals such as sustainability, energy security, and resource efficiency. The study recommends future research to disaggregate energy data by sector and explore higher-frequency datasets to detect potential hidden or delayed effects that may not be visible in aggregate annual data
The possibility of assigning archaeological finds to harmful magical practices: a new materialist perspective.
No full textThe aim of this thesis is to resolve the issues surrounding the attribution of archaeological finds to harmful magical practices. The proposed solution will be achieved in two parts: firstly, by introducing an analytic concept of magic suitable for archaeology; secondly, by developing a set of tools for the material analysis of archaeological finds. After reviewing the available archaeological literature, the said analytical term will be delivered with a novel definition. In order to find tools compliant with methodological agnosticism, which could detect harmful agencies within archaeological finds, the philosophy of new materialism will be employed. From this theoretical perspective, artifacts associated with harmful magical practices will be compared to traps, leading to the development of a six-part probabilistic schema for material analysis
Chemofermentinės 5hmC derivatizacijos poveikis DNR polimerazių tikslumui.
No full textDNA modifications, particularly the epigenetic marks 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), play critical roles in gene regulation, embryonic and disease development, including cancer. Despite its biological importance, the detection and mapping of 5hmC remain technically challenging due to its chemical similarity to 5-methylcytosine and limitations of current sequencing methods. This study aimed to explore a novel chemoenzymatic strategy for 5hmC detection by evaluating the effect of G^C adduct formation, which is a product of 5hmC derivatization, on DNA polymerase fidelity and nanopore sequencing readouts. In this project we aimed to synthesize model DNA containing 5hmC with M.HhaI and formaldehyde; to derivatize 5hmC into a G^C adduct using a selenol-based chemoenzymatic modification; and to evaluate the impact of this modification on DNA polymerase DeepVent (exo-) and DreamTaq performance and sequencing accuracy. PCR analysis with polymerases revealed a 31% decrease in amplification efficiency from G^C-modified templates, indicating interference with polymerase activity. Nanopore sequencing further confirmed the functional impact of the G^C adduct. Soft-clipping was observed at the modification site, and downstream sequences showed complex, long-range deviations from the reference, supporting the hypothesis that the G^C adduct alters polymerase fidelity. These effects were not observed in the control samples. This study demonstrates that 5hmC can be converted into a unique intramolecular G^C adduct that significantly affects DNA polymerase behaviour and sequencing output. While the derivatization strategy shows potential as a novel method for 5hmC detection, the low modification yield and high error rate in sequencing readouts underscore the need for further optimization. Nonetheless, the approach provides a foundation for developing sensitive, modification-specific detection strategies in epigenetic research and diagnostics