Browsing by Author "Šneidere, Kristīne"

Now showing 1 - 20 of 41
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    Amygdala Nuclei Atrophy in Cognitive Impairment and Dementia : Insights from High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging
    (2025-01-15) Peiseniece, Evija; Zdanovskis, Nauris; Šneidere, Kristīne; Kostiks, Andrejs; Karelis, Guntis; Platkājis, Ardis; Stepens, Ainārs; Department of Radiology; Institute of Public Health; Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy; Department of Infectology
    Background and Objectives: Cognitive impairment affects memory, reasoning, and problem-solving, with early detection being critical for effective management. The amygdala, a key structure in emotional processing and memory, may play a pivotal role in detecting cognitive decline. This study examines differences in amygdala nuclei volumes in patients with varying levels of cognitive performance to evaluate its potential as a biomarker.  Material and methods: This cross-sectional study of 35 participants was conducted and classified into three groups: the normal (≥26), moderate (15-25), and low (≤14) cognitive performance groups based on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging at 3.0 T scanner was used to assess amygdala nuclei volumes.  Results: Significant amygdala atrophy was observed in multiple amygdala nuclei across cognitive performance groups, with more pronounced changes in the low-performance group. The right hemisphere nuclei, including the lateral and basal nuclei, showed more significant differences, indicating their sensitivity to cognitive decline.  Conclusions: This study highlights the potential of amygdala nuclei atrophy as a biomarker for cognitive impairment. Additional research with larger sample sizes and longitudinal designs is needed to confirm these findings and determine their diagnostic value.
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    Apzinātībā balstīto intervenču raksturojums dažādām pacientu grupām – literatūras apskats
    (Rēzeknes Tehnoloģiju akadēmija, 2018) Majore-Dūšele, Indra; Paiča, Inese; Mārtinsone, Kristīne; Millere, Inga; Lubkina, Velta; Šneidere, Kristīne; Ušča, Svetlana; Rīga Stradiņš University
    Mindfulness based interventions has been used in context with different mental and somatic health conditions in health care system with good evidences. In Latvia professionals working in psychiatry and rehabilitation are taking first steps to integrate mindfulness based interventions into their practice, therefore, guidelines for integration these interventions into the health care system is needed. The aim of this study is to evaluate existing evidences, content and mechanisms of mindfulness interventions for different patient groups. Electronic searches in PubMed, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, ClinicalKey, Cochrane Library, Wiley Online Library, and PsycInfo (2010 – 2018). Papers were required to meet the following criteria to be included in this review: (i) systematic review or meta-analysis; (ii) include quantitative outcomes for adult population in health care setting; (iii) published in English. Despite the good evidences, mindfulness based interventions are viewed as "complex intervention", researchers call for methodological, cultural and ethical attention to be made of implementing mindfulness practice into health care setting.
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    Brodmann Areas, V1 Atlas and Cognitive Impairment : Assessing Cortical Thickness for Cognitive Impairment Diagnostics
    (2024-04) Trišins, Maksims; Zdanovskis, Nauris; Platkājis, Ardis; Šneidere, Kristīne; Kostiks, Andrejs; Karelis, Guntis; Stepens, Ainārs; Department of Radiology; Militārās medicīnas pētījumu un studiju centrs; Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy; Department of Infectology
    Background and Objectives: Magnetic resonance imaging is vital for diagnosing cognitive decline. Brodmann areas (BA), distinct regions of the cerebral cortex categorized by cytoarchitectural variances, provide insights into cognitive function. This study aims to compare cortical thickness measurements across brain areas identified by BA mapping. We assessed these measurements among patients with and without cognitive impairment, and across groups categorized by cognitive performance levels using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test.  Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included 64 patients who were divided in two ways: in two groups with (CI) or without (NCI) impaired cognitive function and in three groups with normal (NC), moderate (MPG) and low (LPG) cognitive performance according to MoCA scores. Scans with a 3T MRI scanner were carried out, and cortical thickness data was acquired using Freesurfer 7.2.0 software.  Results: By analyzing differences between the NCI and CI groups cortical thickness of BA3a in left hemisphere (U = 241.000, p = 0.016), BA4a in right hemisphere (U = 269.000, p = 0.048) and BA28 in left hemisphere (U = 584.000, p = 0.005) showed significant differences. In the LPG, MPG and NC cortical thickness in BA3a in left hemisphere (H (2) = 6.268, p = 0.044), in V2 in right hemisphere (H (2) = 6.339, p = 0.042), in BA28 in left hemisphere (H (2) = 23.195, p < 0.001) and in BA28 in right hemisphere (H (2) = 10.015, p = 0.007) showed significant differences.  Conclusions: Our study found that cortical thickness in specific Brodmann Areas—BA3a and BA28 in the left hemisphere, and BA4a in the right—differ significantly between NCI and CI groups. Significant differences were also observed in BA3a (left), V2 (right), and BA28 (both hemispheres) across LPG, MPG, NC groups. Despite a small sample size, these findings suggest cortical thickness measurements can serve as effective biomarkers for cognitive impairment diagnosis, warranting further validation with a larger cohort.
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    Cognitive Reserve and Cognitive Performance in Healthy Latvian Seniors
    (Rēzeknes Tehnoloģiju akadēmija, 2018) Sneidere, Kristine; Montemurro, Sonia; Mondini, Sara; Harlamova, Jelena; Ulmane, Zane; Stepens, Ainars; Lubkina, Velta; Šneidere, Kristīne; Ušča, Svetlana; Rīga Stradiņš University
    In the next 30 years, a significant increase of the population aged over 65 is expected (WHO, 2015). Ageing can often be associated with cognitive decline; however, recent research indicates that symptoms of age-related cognitive impairment are modulated by Cognitive Reserve (CR), which derives from level of education, working activity, and social activity (Tucker & Stern, 2011). The role of CR in neurodegenerative disease has been extensively researched, but little is known about its contribution to normal ageing. Fifty-four healthy Latvian seniors were recruited for the study. We assessed simple and complex reaction times, associative memory, memory retrieval, attention, working memory. Furthermore, we quantified their CR. We analysed the relationship between CR and reaction times with two separate logistic regressions. Then, four linear regression models were built to analyse the relationship between CR and the scores on the cognitive tasks. CR was not related to the cognitive performance of healthy Latvian seniors. Such results indicate that CR resources may be mostly required when high-demanding tasks have to be performed.
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    Combined Score of Perivascular Space Dilatation and White Matter Hyperintensities in Patients with Normal Cognition, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Dementia
    (2022-07) Zdanovskis, Nauris; Platkājis, Ardis; Kostiks, Andrejs; Šneidere, Kristīne; Stepens, Ainārs; Naglis, Roberts; Karelis, Guntis; Department of Radiology; Militārās medicīnas pētījumu un studiju centrs; Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy; Department of Infectology
    Background and Objectives: Cerebral perivascular spaces (PVS) are part of the cerebral microvascular structure and play a role in lymphatic drainage and the removal of waste products from the brain. White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are hyperintense lesions on magnetic resonance imaging that are associated with cognitive impairment, dementia, and cerebral vascular disease. WMH and PVS are direct and indirect imaging biomarkers of cerebral microvascular integrity and health. In our research, we evaluated WMH and PVS enlargement in patients with normal cognition (NC), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia (D). Materials and Methods: In total, 57 participants were included in the study and divided into groups based on neurological evaluation and Montreal Cognitive Assessment results (NC group 16 participants, MCI group 29 participants, D group 12 participants). All participants underwent 3T magnetic resonance imaging. PVS were evaluated in the basal ganglia, centrum semiovale, and midbrain. WMHs were evaluated based on the Fazekas scale and the division between deep white matter (DWM) and periventricular white matter (PVWM). The combined score based on PVS and WMH was evaluated and correlated with the results of the MoCA. Results: We found statistically significant differences between groups on several measures. Centrum semiovale PVS dilatation was more severe in MCI and dementia group and statistically significant differences were found between D-MCI and D-NC pairs. PVWM was more severe in patients with MCI and dementia group, and statistically significant differences were found between D-MCI and D-NC pairs. Furthermore, we found statistically significant differences between the groups by analyzing the combined score of PVS dilatation and WMH. We did not find statistically significant differences between the groups in PVS dilation of the basal ganglia and midbrain and DWM hyperintensities. Conclusions: PVS assessment could become one of neuroimaging biomarkers for patients with cognitive decline. Furthermore, the combined score of WMH and PVS dilatation could facilitate diagnostics of cognitive impairment, but more research is needed with a larger cohort to determine the use of PVS dilatation and the combined score.
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    Conceptualization of social capital in cross-sectional design studies : rapid review of literature
    (Rēzeknes Tehnoloģiju akadēmija, 2020-05-20) Šuriņa, Sanita; Mārtinsone, Kristīne; Lubkina, Velta; Mārtinsone, Kristīne; Šneidere, Kristīne; Rīga Stradiņš University
    Social capital is a conceptthat is widely studied in different fields of science, in different dimensions of this concept, and consists of a number of elements, including trust,sense of belongingand affiliation.Given the multidimensional nature of social capital, researchers point to the challenges of its conceptualization and operationalization of its elements. Objective: To identify cross-sectional design studies, with nationally representative samples from European countries, where each study assessed following social capital elements: either trust and sense of belonging, or trust and affiliation,to identify other included social capital elements, to clarify how these elements are operationalized, to identify what social capital determinants are taken into account and what social capital manifestations have been evaluated.Method: Cross-sectional design studies, with nationally representative samples for European countries, conducted between 2014 and 2019, were sought in Science Direct, ProQuest, SAGE, EBSCO, Google Scholar, using the key words “social capital”, “trust”, “sense of belonging” and their synonyms. The methodological quality was assessed by Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (Axis). Results: From initially identified 173 studies, the literature review included 3 studies. The included studies identify determinants ofsocial capital(socio-demographic factors (2 studies) and political affiliation (1 study))andmanifestationsof social capital (self-rated health (1 study), loneliness (1 study), willingness to pay for environmental quality (1 study)).The included studies define the bonding, bridging and linking types of social capital, as well as the structural and cognitivedimensionsof social capital. The studies assessed and operationalized the following social capital elements: trust (3 studies), sense of belonging (1 study), support (1 study), frequency of contacts (2 studies), participation in associations (1 study), religiousaffiliation (1 study), civic activity (2 studies)
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    Deju kustību terapija senioriem : jaukta dizaina sistemātiskais pārskats
    (Rēzeknes Tehnoloģiju akadēmija, 2020-05-20) Zande, Marta; Šuriņa, Sanita; Lubkina, Velta; Mārtinsone, Kristīne; Šneidere, Kristīne; Rīga Stradiņš University
    Changes caused by aging manifest themselves in physical, cognitive, emotional and social areas. Dance and movement therapy ensures that it is possible to work with a client in all four areas –promote physical activity, stimulatecognitive functions,activateemotional component andencouragesocialinteractions. The aim of this research was to create a mixed methods systematic review on dance and movement therapy (DMT) for seniors, to assess the methodological quality of included studies, analyse structural and content indicators of applied DMT interventions, their effect and experience of seniors gained during dance and movement therapy sessions. Findings suggestthat the methodological quality of studies varies from high to low. Data acquired by meta-analysis indicates a statistically significant reduction of depression scores for research (DMT)group in comparison to control group (95% CI: -3.74 to -2.52, total effect Z = 10.05 (P < 0.00001)). Qualitative data shows changes in all four areas as well as provides dance and movement therapists with a framework for different client groups such as individualswith depression, Parkinson’s disease, etc. Further research onseniors’ experiences is needed
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    Demences pacientu psiholoģiskās vajadzības sociālās aprūpes iestādē : kvalitatīvs pētījums
    (Rēzeknes Tehnoloģiju akadēmija, 2018) Terehova, Rudite; Lubkina, Velta; Šneidere, Kristīne; Ušča, Svetlana; Rīga Stradiņš University
    Psychological needs are present in all human beings, but are likely to be heightened for people with dementia because they are usually more vulnerable and less likely to be able to take action to satisfy these needs. The open, unstructured interviews of six patients with dementia were performed with the aim of clarifying their psychological needs in the social care institution. Key themes, derived from interviews: the need for emotional support; the need to maintain autonomy and independence; the need for dignified attitude; the need to participate in decision making and control their lives; the need to preserve the sense of identity; the need to engage in meaningful activities. One expert - social rehabilitator – was interviewed to find out, in which areas dementia patients need psychological support. The expert interview discovered the following themes: dignified attitude; emotional support; meaningful activities; the sense of identity. Increased competence of understanding psychological needs and how those needs can be met, are essential for delivering high-quality care for persons with dementia living in social care institutions.
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    Differences of the Latvian population perceptions and memories of the daily activities over 30 years
    (Rēzeknes Tehnoloģiju akadēmija, 2020-05-20) Ulmane, Zane; Šneidere, Kristīne; Upesleja, Gatis; Stepens, Ainārs; Lubkina, Velta; Kaupužs, Aivars; Znotiņa, Daina; Rīga Stradiņš University
    Regular physical activity helps to improve physical and mental functions as well as reverse some effects of chronic disease to keep older people mobile and independent (McPhee et al., 2016).However, physical activity with aerobic load elements could be a contributing factor to aging (Prakash, Voss, Erickson,& Kramer, 2015).Epidemiological studies have shown that the intensity of daily physical activity might have an important role to maintain life-long cognition(Kimura, Yasunaga,& Wang, 2013).The aim is to identify differencesLatvian time usefrom the retrospective surveyingprimary data from Total Life-span Physical Activity questionnaire and tertiary data from 1979 published data on population time use and trends (Eglite, Svikis,& Zarina, 1979). Methods: The primary data of daily activities was from April to December 2019 obtained from the retrospective questionnaire “Total Lifespan Physical Activity questionnaire” (Ulmane, Šneidere,& Stepens, 2019) and tertiary data were used from 1979 publisheddata on population time useand trends (Eglite, Svikis, & Zarina, 1979). The data were adjusted to six physical activity categories to be comparable -Work/education, physiological needs, Transportation, Leisure time, Household activities and Sports. Results:did not affect males and females differently in these measures, but only differences of some categories. Results show that the most differences were found in the categories –transportation, household activities, and sport.Conclusions:The study had several limitations because data from the 1979 published book (Eglite, Svikis, & Zarina, 1979) was only available in aggregate form. Together these results provide important insights into the difference between the capital city, small towns or rural areas, but 2019 study respondents were almost always from the capital city.However,in the future for more precise data analysis needed primary or secondary data
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    Domu par pašnāvību saistība ar depresijas simptomu izteiktības pakāpi un personības iezīmēm senioriem : pilotpētījuma rezultāti
    (Rēzeknes Tehnoloģiju akadēmija, 2018) Lubenko, Jelena; Perepjolkina, Viktorija; Martinsone, Kristine; Rancans, Elmars; Stepens, Ainars; Lubkina, Velta; Šneidere, Kristīne; Ušča, Svetlana; Rīga Stradiņš University
    Healthy aging and the research on the related factors is one of the World Health Organization's priorities for the 2020-2030 years. Depression and suicidal ideation can adversely affect an individual's aging experience. Personality traits are important factors that allow to predict the individual's behavior in different situations, as well as the accurance of emotional difficulties. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between symptoms of depression, suicidal ideation and personality traits in elderly, and to determine whether the relationship between personality traits and suicidal ideation remains statistically significant after controlling the severity of depression symptoms. Thirty nine respondents aged 65 and over were included in the pilot study (M = 71.23; SD = 4.95). The Latvian Clinical Personality Inventory (LCPI) was used for data collection. The results indicate a statistically significant relationship between several personality traits, depression symptoms and suicidal ideation for elderly. Controlling the severity of depression symptoms, statistically significant correlations were found between suicidal ideation and personality traits such as distrust, social withdrawal, self-harm, dissociation proneness on facet level and introversion on domain level. The results of the pilot study largely coincide with the results of previous studies and indicate that certain personality traits, irrespective of the degree of severity of depression symptoms, can explain an additional variation in suicidal thoughts and, hence, the risk of suicide for elderly. It would be important to conduct a study with similar variables in a larger sample.
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    Dzīves kvalitāte un tās saistība ar stresoriem pansionāta iedzīvotājiem Latvijā
    (Rēzeknes Tehnoloģiju akadēmija, 2018) Deklava, Liana; Apsite, Monta; Millere, Inga; Fokina, Olga; Lubkina, Velta; Šneidere, Kristīne; Ušča, Svetlana; Rīga Stradiņš University
    There is a lot of talk about global aging in society and, as people start to live longer, the society has to take care about their well- being in old age too. There are developed a series of definitions about life quality and designed a variety of methods for assessing quality of life of different groups of people and society as a whole over the time. At such a group of people belongs also those who lives in a nursing home and for various reasons they are aging in one of the nursing homes in Latvia. A study has been made to examine the correlation between stressors and quality of life of nursing home residents. The study objective was quantification method - survey, using two research instruments - questionnaires and 134 nursing home residents were interviewed. The results show that there are both positive and negative relationship between stressors and indicator of quality of life. Overall, the results after the quality of life index characterize the situation as good, the figure is described as an adequate quality of life for the majority of respondents, but for a part of respondents in several, important areas of life there is needed an improvement.
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    Emociju regulācijas prasmju aptaujas adaptācija latviešu valodā
    (Rēzeknes Tehnoloģiju akadēmija, 2021) Kristiņa-Everte, Iluta; Paiča, Inese; Mārtinsone, Kristīne; Lubkina, Velta; Mārtinsone, Kristīne; Šneidere, Kristīne; Rīga Stradiņš University
    The aim of this study was to carry out the adaption of the Latvian version of the Emotion Regulation Skills Questionnaire (ERSQ-27)(SEK-27, Berking & Znoj, 2008) for adults witch evaluates nine dimensions of emotion regulation skills. The questionnaire was completed by 376 adults (82% women and 18% men), aged 18 – 69 years (M = 31.2, SD = 12.99). The calculations for the adapted questionnaire were made for the Cronbach’s alpha, test-retest reliability and determination of the convergent and factorial validity. The five-factor solution proposed by the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was tested and compared with the theoretically postulated nine-factor solution using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The nine-factor model results in the Latvian version questionnaire explain 72% of varienace, but five-factors – 59.76%. The results for EFA and CFA were both higher in the nine-factor model. The internal consistency coefficients (Cronbach’s alpha) of the scales varied from 0.64 to 0.82, test-retest correlations ranged between 0.82 – 0.94. Similar results of the factor analysis were found in other research studies. Findings from this study showed significant evidence for the reliability and validity of the ERSQ-27 and it would be advisable to continue using it in scientific research.
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    Expressive therapies continuum-Informed evaluation of three resource-oriented receptive and active music therapy techniques in cancer patients in Psychosocial Rehabilitation Programme
    (Rēzeknes Tehnoloģiju akadēmija, 2020-05-20) Duhovska, Jana; Millere, Inga; Lubkina, Velta; Mārtinsone, Kristīne; Šneidere, Kristīne; Rehabilitācijas fakultāte; Sabiedrības veselības un sociālās labklājības fakultāte
    Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC), a model posed by Lusebrink and widely used in arts therapies, stipulates that human being is perceiving the world and processing the information in three modes – motion (kinesthetic-sensory perception), emotion (perceptual-emotional perception) and thought (cognitive-symbolic perception), and that optimally functioning person can freely function in all the modes, can slide between the poles of each of the mode and can integrate the elements from various modes and poles. And vice versa - difficulty or inability to function or being stuck in certain modes, can indicate to malfunction and even psychopathology. If that is the case - purposeful integration of various functions by offering expressive activity promoting utilisation of various functions of the ETC, can promote the optimal functioning. In order to find out the capacity of the three resource-based music therapy activities – 1) receptive music therapy activity, 2) semi-structured musical improvisation, 3) song-writing activity - to stimulate the utilisation of specific levels and polarities of the ETC, participants (n=24 cancer patients participating in the psychosocial rehabilitation programme) were asked to assess the elements of the ETC they applied while executing each of the activities. Results of the study show that during the receptive music therapy activity participants mostly used the affective, symbolic and sensory function, during the song-writing activity the mostly used all ETC functions except for sensory, but musical improvisation provoked application of all the ETC functions, and therefore turned out as ultimate activity, capable of integrating all the modes of perception and information processing.  
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    Fenomenoloģiskās pieejas izvēle dzīves pieredzes izpētei : metodoloģiskais salīdzinājums
    (Rēzeknes Tehnoloģiju akadēmija, 2018) Zuitins, Juris; Pipere, Anita; Sudraba, Velga; Lubkina, Velta; Šneidere, Kristīne; Ušča, Svetlana; Rīga Stradiņš University
    With the escalating use of qualitative methods in health psychology, the need for the careful match between the studied topic and research design has been repeatedly stressed. The purpose of this study is to choose and substantiate the most compatible methodological approach for the use in the prospective phenomenological doctoral research investigating a lived experience of fathers of fatally ill child. This methodological paper compares three main phenomenological research approaches: Hermeneutic Phenomenology (van Manen, 1990), Psychological or Transcendental Phenomenology (Moustakas, 1994) and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, 1996). The comparative analysis of these three approaches to phenomenological research shows that the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis could be viewed as the most appropriate approach for analyzing the lived experience of fathers of fatally ill child considering the specific sample of this study, character of the research topic and experience of researcher with phenomenological studies. The methodological underpinnings and possible issues of chosen approach have been discussed at the end of paper.
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    HELPING PROFESSIONS FOR SOCIAL PROGRESS : PERSPECTIVES OF THE GRADUATE STUDENTS
    (Rēzeknes Tehnoloģiju akadēmija, 2021-05-28) Pipere, Anita; Martinsone, Kristīne; Lubkina, Velta; Mārtinsone, Kristīne; Šneidere, Kristīne; Rīga Stradiņš University
    The paper aims to explore how future practitioners in helping professions grasp the wider societal problems and represent their professional practice in terms of social progress. The inquiry illustrates the perspectives of students by triangulation between their understanding of main societal issues in Latvia in the context of national planning documents (NPDs), social capital (SC), and expectations about their future work. Data of 34 first-year graduate students were collected using the open questionnaire and analyzed employing inductive and deductive thematic analysis. The largest group of societal issues contained the socio-psychological problems followed by economic challenges. Only half of the answers concerning SC were in tune with the theoretical conceptualization of this term. The students’ views on societal issues and SC did not align well with the NPDs. The mentioned socio-psychological problems contained the issues of relationship and value aspects of SC, omitting the social networks. One-third of answers in terms of professional expectations were related to the development of SC, other answers focused on the demands of external entities, and the students’ features. The views of graduate students can become an important signpost for the development of graduate programs in times of global interest in core competencies for helping professions.
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    Hronisku slimnieku dzīvesspēks : Darbības jomas pārskats
    (Rēzeknes Tehnoloģiju akadēmija, 2021) Zelčāne, Elīna; Pipere, Anita; Lubkina, Velta; Mārtinsone, Kristīne; Šneidere, Kristīne; Rīga Stradiņš University
    Abstract. In the field of psychology resilience of the chronically ill has been studied mostly using quantitative research methods, but there are much fewer qualitative studies. This scoping review aims to collect definitions of resilience, find out, whether resilience development strategies are mentioned and what research approaches are used in qualitative studies about the resilience of the chronically ill. The review was conducted, following the 5-stage framework by Arksey and O’Malley, PRISMA guidelines, and searching in PubMed, PsychInfo, and Scopus databases. The main keywords (patients with chronic illness, resilience, strategies, qualitative studies) were selected according to the Participants/ Concept/Context (PCC) framework, 21 articles were included in the review. Resilience mostly was defined as the ability to recover, return to normality, and adapt to new conditions after experiencing stress, illness, or other negative events. In several studies, other terms like coping, personal strength, self-management, and psychological growth were used instead. Lived experiences of the chronically ill show that resilience is not a stable ability, it changes over time. Resilience can be developed, using different strategies, such as having a positive mindset, learning new skills, accepting help, or promoting a healthy lifestyle. Qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis were the most often used research approaches in qualitative studies about the resilience of the chronically ill.
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    Interpretatīvās fenomenoloģiskās analīzes pielietojums paliatīvā aprūpē esoša bērna tēvu pieredzes izpētē
    (Rēzeknes Tehnoloģiju akadēmija, 2019) Zuitiņš, Juris; Pipere, Anita; Sudraba, Velga; Lubkina, Velta; Mārtinsone, Kristīne; Šneidere, Kristīne; Rīga Stradiņš University
    Phenomenological research is commonly used worldwide in the field of health psychology to describe and explain the unique life experiences of health and disease. In Latvia, the phenomenological research in health psychology has not been performed yet. In this study, the methodological aspects of interpretative phenomenological analysis applied to explore the experience of fathers with a child in palliative care will be exemplified. The paper particularly aims to analyze the steps of interpretative phenomenological analysis applied during the study of one father’s experience. A single case will be presented detailing the disclosure of father’s experience and reflection on the process of interpretive phenomenological analysis on interview data. Conclusions in terms of the methodological aspects of interpretative phenomenological analysis will be provided.
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    Kognitīvo rezervju, kognitīvo funkciju un smadzeņu volumetrijas saistības gados vecākiem pieaugušajiem bez demences. Promocijas darba kopsavilkums
    (Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte, 2023) Šneidere, Kristīne; Stepens, Ainārs; Mondini, Sara
    Pētījuma mērķis bija izpētīt kognitīvo rezervju saistību ar kognitīvajām funkcijām un neirālajiem rādītājiem veseliem pieaugušajiem. Pētījuma ietvaros tika pārbaudītas četras hipotēzes: 1) augstāks sasniegtais izglītības līmenis, aktīva nodarbinātība un aktīvs dzīvesveids būs saistīts ar labākiem atmiņas rādītājiem un augstākiem verbālās veiklības rādītājiem praktiski veseliem pieaugušajiem; 2) augstākas kognitīvās rezerves būs saistītas ar labākiem tādu kognitīvo procesu rādītājiem kā atmiņa, informācijas apstrādes ātrums, vizuāli telpiskās spējas, vadības funkcijas un valodas spējas praktiski veseliem gados vecākiem pieaugušajiem; 3) augstākas kognitīvās rezerves būs saistītas ar lielāku smadzeņu tilpumu, jo īpaši reģionos, kas ir vairāk ievainojami novecojoties un saslimstot ar demenci; 4) izmaiņas kognitīvo funkciju rādītājos laika gaitā būs saistītas ar kognitīvo rezervju pirmreizējo mērījumu. Pirmā hipotēze tika pārbaudīta daļēji reprezentatīvā izlasē, kurā piedalījās 546 praktiski veseli latviešu valodā runājoši pieaugušie (M = 70,54, SD = 10,19, 37,2 % vīriešu). Sekundārie dati par izglītību, pašreizējo nodarbinātību un brīvo laiku tika izmantoti kā kognitīvās rezerves starpniekmainīgie, atmiņa tika novērtēta, izmantojot desmit vārdu atmiņas uzdevumu, un verbālā veiklība tika novērtēta, izmantojot semantisko verbālās veiklības uzdevumu. Lai labāk izprastu attiecības starp mainīgajiem, tika sagatavots un pārbaudīts strukturālā vienādojuma modelis. Izglītība, nodarbinātības statuss, kognitīvās brīvā laika aktivitātes un mērenas fiziskās aktivitātes labi prognozēja iepriekšminētās kognitīvās funkcijas, uzrādot labu modeļa atbilstību (?2(7) = 30,837, CFI = 0,970, RMSEA = 0,079, SRMR = 0,058). Otrā hipotēze tika pārbaudīta 61 praktiski veselu un latviski runājošu pieaugušo izlasē (M = 72,19, SD = 5,02). Kognitīvās rezerves tika mērītas, izmantojot Kognitīvo rezervju indeksa aptauju (Nucci et al., 2012), darba atmiņa, asociatīvā atmiņa, apstrādes ātrums un vārdu krājums tika novērtēts ar Vudkoka-Džonsones Kognitīvo spēju testiem (Paleja, 2006), īstermiņa un ilgtermiņa atmiņas mērījumi tika iegūti ar desmit vārdu atmiņas testu (Luria, 1976), reakcijas laiks tika novērtēts, izmantojot Rokasbumbas vārtsarga reakcijas testu, un dati par vadības funkcijām un vizuāli telpiskajām spējām tika iegūti, izmantojot trīs apakšskalas no Monreālas Kognitīvās novērtēšanas skalas (Nasreddine et al., 2005). Augstāki kognitīvo rezervju un to apakšindeksu – izglītības un nodarbošanās – rādītāji bija saistīti ar labāku īstermiņa atmiņas veiktspēju, lielāku vārdu krājumu (CRI-Izglītība) un augstākiem verbālās veiklības rādītājiem un ātrāku reakcijas laiku (CRI-Nodarbošanās). Rezultāti daļēji saskanēja ar rezultātiem no lielākās izlases. Trešā hipotēze tika pārbaudīta 58 praktiski veselu latviski runājošo izlasē (M = 72,19, SD = 5,02, 23,9 % vīrieši). Magnētiskās rezonanses attēldiagnostikas (MRI) dati tika iegūti ar Siemens 1.5 Tesla Avanto MRI skeneri (Siemens, Erlangena, Vācija) un analizēti ar Freesurfer 7.2. programmatūru. Rezultāti daļēji apstiprināja hipotēzi, parādot, ka augstāki profesionālie sasniegumi un augstākas kognitīvās rezerves kopumā varētu būt saistītas ar lielāku garozas tilpumu kreisās puslodes vidējā deniņu krokā, bilaterāli apakšējā deniņu krokas daļā, kreisās puslodes apakšējā parietālajā krokā un labās puslodes pars orbitalis. Vienlaikus netika atklātas statistiski nozīmīgas saistības starp kognitīvajām rezervēm un hipokampu un talāmu (p > 0,05). Noslēdzošā hipotēze tika pārbaudīta 23 sieviešu izlasē, vecumā no 68 līdz 83 gadiem (M = 74,13, SD = 4,70) veicot atkārtotus mērījumus dalībniecēm no iepriekšējā pētījuma. Vidējais laiks starp mērījumiem bija 3,391 (SD = 0,656). Statistiski nozīmīgas izmaiņas tika konstatētas vienīgi trīs mērījumos – ilgtermiņa atmiņa rādītājos, reakcijas laika kompozītā un pulksteņa zīmēšanas uzdevumā. No tiem tikai reakcijas laika izmaiņas bija saistītas ar kognitīvajām rezervēm, precīzāk – brīvā laika aktivitātēm, tādējādi tikai daļēji apstiprinot hipotēzi. Kopumā rezultāti norāda uz to, ka augstāks iegūtās izglītības līmenis un profesionālās aktivitātes varētu būt saistītas ar labāku īstermiņa un ilgtermiņa atmiņas sniegumu, verbālajām spējām un reakcijas laiku pat praktiski veseliem gados vecākiem pieaugušajiem. Tāpat augstākas profesionālās prasības un kopējais kognitīvo rezervju mērījums varētu būt saistīti arī ar lielāku garozas tilpumu deniņu, parietālajos un frontālajos reģionos, tādējādi nodrošinot aizsardzību pret smadzeņu atrofiju. Visbeidzot, kognitīvo funkciju izmaiņas laika gaitā varētu būt saistītas ar aktīvu atpūtu (CRI-Leisure Activity), tomēr ir nepieciešami pētījumi lielākā izlasē.
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    Krieviski runājošo vidusskolēnu vērtību konfliktu salīdzinājums Baltijas valstīs
    (Rēzeknes Tehnoloģiju akadēmija, 2020-05-20) Mihailova, Sandra; Perepjolkina, Viktorija; Lubkina, Velta; Mārtinsone, Kristīne; Šneidere, Kristīne; Rīga Stradiņš University
    In this research differencesbetween discrepancies in evaluations of value importance and reachability of Russian-speaking high school students from Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia wereexamined. The study sample included 30 high school students from Latvia, 30 from Estonia and 30 from Lithuania aged 16 to 18. All students completed value-rating survey developed by Fantalova (Fantalova, 2011) and demographic questionnaire. Results have shown that the key values in all the Baltic countries are similar: health, love, happy family and friends. There is basically no statistically significant difference between value importance, value reachability, and value conflicts. Statically significant differences between Latvian and Lithuanian pupils are in the following values: beauty of nature and art, but there are statistically significant differences between Latvian and Estonian pupils in the following values: materially secured life, interesting work. It was found that in these three samplesvalue conflicts don’t creates enough tension to motivate action. It can thus be assumed that the migration of school graduatespossiblyis not linked to the inability to realize the values that are important to them in their country. As the tension between values grows, the reasons why young people emigrate from one of the Baltic countries may be different
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    Latvijas iedzīvotāju sociālo un psiholoģisko rādītāju saistība ar grūtībām pielāgoties ārkārtas stāvoklim Covid-19 pandēmijas laikā
    (Rēzeknes Tehnoloģiju akadēmija, 2021) Upesleja, Gatis; Perepjolkina, Viktorija; Lubkina, Velta; Mārtinsone, Kristīne; Šneidere, Kristīne; Rīga Stradiņš University
    The aim of this study is to investigate relationship between social and psychological indicators and the difficulties to adapt to the state of emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondary data from the survey (N = 2608, men 39.8%, aged from 18 – 74) carried out in July 2020, in the frame of the National research program (VPP-COVID-2020/1-0011) was used in this study. Data of only some demographic questions (age, gender, education, place of residence, family status, number of children, employment status, and changes in the workload), 6 items as proxy measures of 6 personality traits (persistence, openness, hostility, extraversion, pessimism, and rigidity), Resilience scale, Emotion Regulation Skills Questionnaire (ERSQ-27) and Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised version (SPRP-S) as well as answers on a criterion statement: “Overall it was very difficult for me to adapt to the state of emergency” were used. Results showed that it was more difficult to adapt to the state of emergency for such demographic groups as females, persons lining in an urban area, and for those, who have experience changes (in any direction) in their workload. Results of the series of stepwise linear regression analysis showed that Negative problem orientation, Avoidance style of social problem solving, Psychological resilience (negatively), Rigidity and Extraversion are prognostic psychological factors of the difficulties to adapt to lockdown. Based on the results of this study a more targeted recommendations and interventions to enhance the psychological resilience and adaptability to the changes associated with the COVID-19 crisis for the particular groups of the Latvian population could be developed.