Development of a new computer-assisted assessment tool for measuring and monitoring mental health outcomes of adolescents in the context of the post-COVID pandemic
Aim
Description
Within the framework of the project, in collaboration between scientists and academic staff from two universities of two universities – Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) and Rīga Technical University (RTU) – and paediatric mental health specialists, an innovative assessment method for measuring and monitoring adolescent mental health outcomes will be developed.
It is based on a computerized individual personality assessment system developed in our team's previous research, which will be adapted and standardized for the adolescent (13–19 years) population. With the help of this assessment tool, it will be possible to evaluate an individual's personality traits and mental state, including the risk of suicidal behavior, not only by answering test questions but also based on various parallel psychophysiological parameter measurements (decision-making time and pressure), which will be integrated into the overall assessment.
The introduction of this method into the healthcare system will improve the quality and accessibility of mental health care services provided to adolescents, especially focusing on identifying suicide risk factors post-COVID pandemic.
Main results to be achieved
- Recommendations on the methodology for assessing the mental health of adolescents will be developed.
- Proposals to update healthcare guidelines, algorithms, and patient pathways in the field of adolescent mental health will be developed.
- Justification for the commercialization of the method and its inclusion in the list of state-remunerated healthcare services will be prepared.
Team
Manager
Scientific assistant
RSU work group
Lead researcher
Lead researcher
Lead researcher
Researcher
Scientific assistant
RTU work group
Media
Identifying risks and reducing waiting times for specialists – a digital tool for adolescent mental health assessment has been developed, Rīta Panorāma, LSM (15 December 2025)
Washed Her Hair Nine Times, TVNet.lv publikācija par projektu, pusaudžu psihiskās veselības digitālā rīka izstrādi, Zane Gulbe (15 December 2025)
Adolescent Mental Health after the Pandemic: Latvian Researchers' Contribution to the Assessment of Mental Health Disorder Symptoms, Latvijas Zinātnes padomes zinātnes komunikācijas platforma (Viegli par zinātni) (28 November 2025)
A New Method is Being Developed to assess Mental Health Indicators of Latvian Adolescents, ResearchLatvia (10 February 2025)
Mental health among young people is worsening; researchers develop a new computer-assisted assessment method for diagnostics, LSM (3 February 2025)
Project activities
Psychology Days 2025 at Rīga Stradiņš University (10 October 2025)
Application of a Screening Instrument for Assessing Adolescent Emotional and Behavioural Problems in Clinical Settings
Lect. Zane Gulbe, Asst. Prof. Viktorija Perepjolkina, Assoc. Prof. Jeļena Koļesņikova, Lect. Ilona Krone, Asst. Prof. Ņikita Bezborodovs, Prof. Ainārs Stepens
Presentation (in Latvian)
Psychometric Properties and Clinical Application of a Personality Assessment Instrument for Adolescents
Linda Nauzere, Viktorija Perepjolkina, Jeļena Koļesņikova, Ilona Krone, dr. Ņikita Bezborodovs, Ainārs Stepens
Development of a New Computer-Assisted Assessment Method for Measuring Adolescent Mental Health
Ingars Steiks, Viktorija Perepjolkina, Jeļena Koļesņikova, Ilona Krone, dr. Ņikita Bezborodovs, Ainārs Stepens
National Research Programme researcher Zane Gulbe visits Riga State Classical Gymnasium as part of Career Week (10 October 2025)
The 1st World Congress on Bioethics, Kyiv International University (30 September 2025)
Psychometric properties of the Newly Developed Personality Assessment Scales for Adolescents (PASA) in Latvia
Linda Nauzere
Development and Psychometric Evaluation of a Preliminary Depression Scale for Latvian Adolescents
Zane Gulbe
Participation in the Youth Opportunities Festival 'Kopums/Mad Liepāja' (16 August 2025)
Mg. psych. Linda Nauzere assessed adolescents using the device and introduced visitors to the National Research Programme (NRP) project. The project was also featured on Kurzemes Radio during the festival.
Conversation festival Lampa (20 June 2025)
Discussion: Adolescent Mental Health: Do We Have an Action Plan?
Dr. psych. Ilona Krone, Mg. psych. Linda Nauzere
Congress of the Latvian Medical Association, section 'New Challenges in Psychiatry in Latvia' (13 June 2025)
Available Instruments for Early Assessment of Mental Disorders in Latvia and Innovative Digital Interventions in Child Psychiatry
Dr. psych. Ņikita Bezborodovs
Meeting of the Implementation and Monitoring Committee of the National Research Programme Public Health (10 April 2025)
Mid-Term Results of Project No. VPP-VM-Sabiedrības_Veselība-2023/6-0002 'Development of a New Computer-Assisted Assessment Tool for Measuring and Monitoring Mental Health Outcomes of Adolescents in the Context of the Post-COVID Pandemic'
Presentation (in Latvian)
RSU Research Week 2025
International Medical and Health Sciences Conference Knowledge for Use in Practice
Development of screening instruments for early recognition (28 March 2025)
Asst. Prof. Ņikita Bezborodovs
10th International Multidisciplinary Scientific Conference Society. Health. Welfare
The Initial Version of the Oppositional Defiant and Dissocial Behaviour Scales for Adolescents in Latvia (26 March 2025)
Linda Nauzere, Mg. psych.; co-authors: Viktorija Perepjolkina, Dr. psych., Jeļena Koļesņikova, Dr. psych; Ilona Krone, Dr. psych., Ņikita Bezborodovs, Dr. med., Ainārs Stepens, Dr. med.
Conference Innovation and Artificial Intelligence: The Path from Research to Practice
The Initial Version of the Depression Scale for Adolescents in Latvia (26 March 2025)
Lect. Zane Gulbe, student Karina Borodina, Asst. Prof. Viktorija Perepjolkina, Assoc. Prof. Jeļena Koļesnikova, Asst. Prof. Ņikita Bezborodovs, Lect. Ilona Krone, Prof. Ainārs Stepens
International Student Conference
Development of anxiety and fear-related symptom scales for adolescents: preliminary research results (25 March 2025)
Solveiga Sofija Saulīte
Participation in the Kyiv Internacional University XXX International Scientific and Practical Conference (28 March 2025)
Initial version of the personality scales for adolescents in Latvia
Nauzere L. Mg. psych. Co-authors: Perepjolkina V. Dr. psych.; Kolesnikova J. Dr. psych.; Krone I. Dr. psych.; Bezborodovs Ņ. Dr. med.; Stepens A. Dr. med.
Presentation of Research by Doctoral Students in Psychology from the University of Latvia, Rīga Stradiņš University and Daugavpils University during Psychology Days at the Professional Competence Centre of the Latvian Psychologists’ Association (16 October 2024)
Development of an Assessment Instrument for Emotional and Behavioural Problems in Adolescents Aged 13–19
L. Nauzere
Psychology Days 2024 at Rīga Stradiņš University (11 October 2024)
Theoretical Framework and Structure of a Screening Instrument for Assessing Behavioural Problems and Emotional Well-Being in Adolescents
Video
Z. Gulbe, V. Perepjolkina, J. Koļesņikova, I. Krone, Ņ. Bezborodovs, L. Nauzere, A. Stepens, K. Borodina, L. Beka
Participation in the 2024 IEEE 65th International Scientific Conference on Power and Electrical Engineering of Rīga Technical University (RTUCON) (10–12 October 2024)
Development and analysis of portable heart rate measurement solutions
E. Kancevičs
Participation in a Research Seminar at the Research Centre for Child Psychiatry, University of Turku (9 October 2024)
Population Child and Adolescent Mental Health Research in Latvia: What Do We Know?
Ņ. Bezborodovs
Participation in the 33rd International Congress of Psychology (23 July 2024)
The Initial Version of the Oppositional Defiant Disorder Scale for Adolescents in Latvia
L. Nauzere, V. Perepjolkina, J. Koļesņikova
Information Seminar Organised by the Latvian Council of Science on National Research Programme Project No. VPP-VM-Sabiedrības_Veselība-2023/6-0002 Development of a New Computer-Assisted Assessment Tool for Measuring and Monitoring Mental Health Outcomes of Adolescents in the Context of the Post-COVID Pandemic (24 May 2024)
Presentation (in Latvian)
Participation in the 10th International Practical Conference of Rīga Stradiņš University Health and Personality Development: An Interdisciplinary Approach (18 April 2024)
Theoretical Framework and Initial Structure of a Screening Instrument for Assessing Behavioural Problems and Emotional Well-Being in Adolescents
Video
V. Perepjolkina, J. Koļesņikova, I. Krone, Z. Gulbe, L. Nauzere
The First Stage in the Development of Anxiety and Fear-Related Symptom Assessment Scales for Adolescents (Aged 13–19)
Video
Z. Gulbe, S.S. Saulīte, D. Považnaja, V. Perepjolkina, J. Koļesņikova, I. Krone, A. Stepens
