RSU Psychology Days 2025: science, practice and book launches
From 7 till 10 October, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) will host the annual Psychology Days with the focus on the interdisciplinary scientific conference Psychology for Health and Social Development and two book launches.
Psychology Days are organised by researchers and lecturers of the RSU Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy in cooperation with visiting lecturers from Great Britain, Germany, Hungary, Portugal, Poland and Latvia.
International scientific conference Psychology for Health and Social Development
The conference will feature lectures, symposiums and discussions.
Over the course of three days, lecturers and researchers will present and discuss innovations in psychological assessment, demonstrate solutions for the use of secondary data in psychology research, analyse the challenges of the digital environment, and discuss the practice of psychological assistance in the digital era, raise issues of work-life balance, define support models for psychological assistance in the aging process, explain the impact of environment and ecopsychology on well-being, examine the sports psychology practice, discuss the dimensions of spirituality in psychological assistance, and the issues of professional activity. The conference programme will also include panel discussions and creative workshops dedicated to current issues in psychology in Latvia and worldwide, offering both the students and experienced professionals to engage in academic discussions and search for practical solutions.
Book launch events
During Psychology Days, two new RSU publications will be launched: Psycho-Oncology by Velga Sudraba and Jana Duhovska, and The Diversity of Spiritual Dimensions in Modern Times: An Interdisciplinary Perspective (scientific editor Prof. Kristīne Mārtinsone). These works offer new insights into the areas of collaboration between psychology and healthcare.
The book Psihoonkoloģija (Psycho-Oncology) by V. Sudraba and J. Duhovska introduces a relatively new discipline in Latvia that focuses on reducing the psycho-emotional burden of cancer patients and their families and providing support throughout the course of treatment.
It emphasises that emotional support and quality communication reduce anxiety and the risk of mental disorders, improve understanding of the diagnosis, and promote treatment adherence.
In view of the latest studies, the book offers evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing emotional burden, strengthening internal resources, and fostering mutual support.
In seven chapters, following the chronology of the patient’s experience from the first suspicions and diagnosis to the final stages of the illness, the book provides a structured overview of the needs and solutions for patients and their families. It serves as a practical resource for medical and psychology students, healthcare professionals and caregivers, and psychological support providers, as well as a guide for patients and their relatives.
Spiritual dimension is increasingly and more frequently recognised as an important factor for maintaining human health and well-being. The extensive collection of articles The Diversity of Spiritual Dimensions in Modern Times: An Interdisciplinary Perspective (scientific editor Prof. Kristīne Mārtinsone) brings together 33 authors representing various disciplines and perspectives on this topic. The authors present both their personal and professional positions, outlining the viewpoint from which each article is written, as well as providing a professional analysis of a specific theme. The publication highlights an interdisciplinary approach and a diverse interpretation of spirituality.
The structure of the book allows readers to compare different perspectives on spiritual dimensions and encounter previously unknown viewpoints.
Psychology Days have become an important tradition that strengthens professional identity and fosters academic dialogue. This year’s programme is very extensive. One of its focuses is on sports psychology, confirming the department’s successful collaboration within the consolidation of RSU LASE. Meanwhile, one of the latest research topics on work–life balance highlights the fact that psychology can make a significant contribution to improving public health and well-being. The book launch events, which is a tradition of the Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy during Psychology Days, are also symbolic. They demonstrate that our scientific thinking is becoming part of a broader professional discourse that influences both research and practical work.
RSU Prof. Kristīne Mārtinsone
RSU Psychology Days will bring together students and practitioners to highlight the latest insights in psychology science and their application in healthcare, education, and society. The conference will take place online via the Zoom platform and also in person on 9 October (at the Hippocrates Lecture Theatre, RSU, 16 Dzirciema iela) in Latvian and English. Participation is free of charge and no prior registration required.
