Tiltai

The scientific article analyses the subjectively perceived quality of life of adult patients with mental and behavioural disorders, and its relationship to the certification of day care institutions according to the EQUASS quality implementation system and the links with health services provided to adults with disabilities. The aim of the research is to investigate the correlations between the subjectively perceived quality of life of patients with mental and behavioural disorders and the health services provided. The article presents a research study involving 13 respondents (seven men and six women) with mental and behavioural disorders. Qualitative research with the in-depth interview method was applied. The respondents ranged in age from 20 to 48 years (the mean age was 32), all of them had attended the day care centre for from one to 20 years (the average attendance was 7.5 years). The research data were processed using narrative analysis. The research results revealed that adults with mental and behavioural disorders perceive the health system integratively. The essential triangulation that influences the assessment of their subjectively good quality of life was identified: the characteristics of the person himself/herself, the efficiency of services provided, and the professionalism of the employee. It was also found that for respondents receiving inpatient services for ten years or more, the subjectively perceived quality of life is related to social participation in the community. It was also identified that adults with mental disabilities still face stigmatisation; therefore, it is necessary to legally ensure the context of their social participation and valorisation. The research revealed that medical and social services for patients with mental and behavioural disorders require closeness: a person after in-patient treatment and receiving additional psychosocial rehabilitation services focuses on the valorisation of his/her role in society and social participation.

A person is a sexual being expressing oneself as a man or a woman. People exercise relationships and possess a certain gender identity. However, as a result of the sin and damaged sexuality, there is an incentive to use oneself and others as instruments whereas it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to build and maintain relationships and to experience sexuality (femininity or masculinity) and one’s gender the way that the Creator has planned for the human nature. Restoration of these sin-damaged abilities of relationships, sexuality and gender identity is possible by turning to God, recognizing His plan for people and believing in His power and willingness to restore within a person what has been ruined. Different practices of Christian faith, psychotherapy or self-help groups serve this purpose. One of the ways to render assistance is programs of “Living Water”. In Lithuania there are two active programs: “Living Water” and “In the Beginning”. In a number of cases these programs have a positive impact on personal relationships, sexuality and gender identity.This article focuses on God’s plan, personal relationships, sexuality and gender identity, which were all corrupted by the sin, discusses possible solutions to restore what has been damaged by the sin, as well as presents the analysis of the outcomes of the research on the influence of the programs of “Living Water” on women’s personal relationships, sexuality and gender identity.

This article introduces rosette-headed pins found at Pavirvytė cemetery (in the Akmenė district) in the rich female grave 138. Rosette-headed pins were quite well known in Semigallia. However, most of the ornaments in this grave are more typical of Curonian culture than of the Semigallians. Some decorative elements or ideas probably penetrated from Curonia to Semigallia at the end of the 11th century.