RSU researchers strengthen international profile at EHPS 2026 conference

From 1 to 4 September, researchers, doctoral students and a master’s student of the RSU Faculty of Psychology participated in the 40th Annual Conference of the European Health Psychology Society (EHPS) in Pafos, presenting research findings on psychological wellbeing and its determinants. The conference highlighted topics such as the importance of nature-based interventions in healthcare, psychological resources, as well as the role of spirituality in people’s health experiences and in their professional practice.  

 

Particular attention at the conference was paid to the study The Role of Spirituality in Adaptation and Health Outcomes in Oncology: A Scoping Review by Daiga Katrīna Bitēna, Ieva Salmane-Kuļikovska, Jana Duhovska, Inga Znotiņa, Sandra Lejniece, and Kristīne Mārtinsone.  

The poster presentation on this study received an EHPS Poster Award. The jury particularly commended the study’s methodological accuracy, the clear structure of the results and the critical approach to measuring spirituality.  

This achievement is especially significant as the study explores a conceptually complex topic that has received comparatively little attention in health psychology, while maintaining an empirically grounded and critical approach. The study broadens the perspective on the experiences of oncology patients by also focusing on aspects of meaning of life, values and spiritual experiences. 

The study analysed the role of spirituality in the adaptation of oncology patients during and after active treatment, examining spirituality both as a possible psychological resource and as a potential source of challenges. The review analysed 49 quantitative studies in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, and the literature search was conducted across seven scientific databases. 

For Daiga Katrīna Bitēna, this international recognition represents a significant achievement in her professional development as a doctoral student, while for RSU, it demonstrates the researchers’ ability to address complex interdisciplinary issues and contribute to the development of psycho-oncology. 

Studies presented by RSU researchers and doctoral students 

Continuing the theme of spirituality, Inguna Rubene presented a study, conducted in collaboration with Anita Pipere, on the role of spirituality in the personal and professional lives of the specialists in helping professions. Meanwhile, Laura Pētersone presented the results of a study, conducted together with Jeļena Koļesņikova and Viktorija Perepjolkina, on the bilingual assessment of the Latvian Clinical Personality Test. 

The nature-based approach was also represented quite extensively. Aija Ozola delivered a presentation on behavioural profiles of nature engagement and their association with mental health, while Aivija Knīse-Repša, together with co-authors Agnese Ozoliņa-Tilgase, Aija Ozola and Gunita Delijeva, gave two poster presentations on the implementation of nature-based interventions in healthcare and the importance of cross-sector collaboration. 

The representation of the researchers from the RSU Department of Psychology and the recognition received at the conference attest not only to the thematic diversity of research in this field, but also to its methodological quality, while broadening the scope of health psychology research and strengthening the presence of RSU researchers within the international health psychology community.