Tiltai

The aim of the article is to reveal the value dimensions of the expression of neighbourly love, analysing it in the context of the family system and the anthropological (theological) context. Based on the assumption that the basis of neighbourly love is formed in the family, and the acquired moral and spiritual attitudes are later transferred to social life, the study emphasises the importance of the family for the transmission of values. Representatives of Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine, interviewed using the qualitative semi-structured interview method, revealed that neighbourly love is manifested through respect, care, forgiveness, responsibility, faith, and service to another person. Although there is a noticeable isolation and limited perception of neighbourliness in society, from the point of view of all three nations, the family remains the main space in which the ability to love one’s neighbour is developed, and, through faith and daily work, to expand the boundaries of this love beyond the personal environment.

The article examines the phenomenon of self-realisation among older adults in the context of social work, revealing how social workers perceive and support the search for meaning in life in their professional practice. The study was based on a qualitative narrative approach that made it possible to explore the experiences of social workers, processes of meaning-making, and principles of existential empowerment applied in working with elderly clients. The analysis showed that self-realisation in old age is a dynamic and multi-dimensional process, shaped by the interaction of internal (faith, values, reflection) and external (family relations, activity, community) factors. The role of the social worker takes on the meaning of existential companionship, helping individuals rediscover meaning, preserve dignity, and experience personal worth in everyday life. The results showed that the application of empowerment, dialogue and principles of meaningful participation in social work practice strengthens the continuity of identity, self-esteem and sense of life fulfilment among older adults.

The nursing profession is full of challenges, and constant contact with ill patients and complex situations generates stress and anxiety. Reflection is considered one of the most effective ways to cope with stress. The benefits of reflection are multifaceted. Reflection helps us to analyse experiences, learn from them, and reduce emotional tension. To reveal the benefits of reflection, a qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with nurses. It was found that nurses employ various modes of reflection that help them analyse the situations they experience and the actions they have taken. The results show that reflection empowers nurses for mindfulness, intra-dialogue, structured action, and professional reciprocity.

The aim of the article is to argue against a few problem aspects in narrative therapy practice from the perspective of Patristic anthropology. The author focuses on several parallel issues in the practical implementation of the method, which gives an opportunity to discuss the methodology to solve essentially important conceptual issues. The assumption that merely replacing the dominant narrative with the more promising alternative can solve a client’s crisis issue is put into doubt. The thesis common in classic narrative therapy that ‘the problem is the problem [of the narrative], but the client is not the problem’ (Differentiating the Client, 2024) is revisited. A simple replacement of the narrative may be a temporary solution, since it affects only the surface of the narrative, only the shell composed of a sequence of external events, but narrative therapy in its classic form as a long-term solution to the identity crisis fails.

With the increasing number of individuals diagnosed with oncological diseases in Lithuania, support measures that promote patients’ quality of life are becoming particularly relevant. International research indicates that art therapy can serve as an effective form of psychosocial support for individuals facing cancer. However, the implementation of art therapy is still in its early stages in the Lithuanian healthcare system. This article presents a single case study exploring the application of art therapy. for a woman diagnosed with cancer. The qualitative research findings suggest that art therapy may function not only as a supportive intervention for individuals undergoing treatment, but also as a transformative space that facilitates the processing of physical, emotional and spiritual changes associated with the illness.

The article analyses the importance of supervision based on anthropological knowledge in the formation of the professional identity of hospital chaplains. It emphasises the problematics of understanding the concept of professional identity and its two main aspects: 1) professional activity, and 2) the anthropological centre of professional identity, which provides for the personal development and quality of spiritual life of the chaplain, in order to answer the question how to become a guide to eternal life for a dying person. The functions of supervision discussed in the article stabilise the chaplain’s personality and the poimenic and mystagogical aspects of the chaplain’s professional identity in the context of hospital palliative care.

The current study presents the research and analysis of scientific literature for 2001 to 2025. The article reveals the links and interactions between democracy, health and healthcare, allowing for the possibility to assess the impact of democracy on health and healthcare. It investigates the assumptions and factors of healthcare democratisation at the systemic and organisational levels. The activity of democratic processes in crisis situations (the Covid-19 pandemic, etc), when people’s rights and freedoms are partially restricted, is analysed. In some countries there are trends in declining levels of democracy, including healthcare systems. The article discusses patients’ opportunities to influence decisions related to their health and healthcare, and to choose their doctor and healthcare organisation.

The burgeoning phenomenon of virtual influencers presents conflicting approaches to the taxonomy of virtual influencers, and lacks a unified conceptual framework. This paper presents a systematic review of the literature on the meaning of virtual influencers. It begins by examining and comparing multifaceted definitions, and presents five main characteristics of virtual influencers, based on various definitions by previous authors. The study proposes a comprehensive typology of virtual influencers, based on four key dimensions: design, ownership, sponsorship disclosure, and follower size. Through systematic analysis, comparison and the synthesis of existing literature, the paper clarifies the current state of knowledge, and identifies critical future research directions within each typological dimension.

Over recent decades, urban areas have expanded in number, population and complexity, intensifying governance challenges. In response, local governments have turned to smart governance. This article introduces a new theoretical model of smart governance and applies it to empirical data from 18 Lithuanian municipalities. Using a quantitative survey of local government representatives, the study explores how smart governance dimensions manifest at the local level, and how officials’ tenure influences this. Statistical tools reveal both commonalities and differences across municipalities. The research broadens the concept of smart governance beyond its technological focus, positioning it as a comprehensive analytical tool in municipal studies.

Research problem: The study addresses how the application of learning techniques influences students’ acquisition of biological knowledge, and what possibilities exist for their implementation in classroom settings. Research aim: To reveal how learning techniques affect students’ knowledge acquisition and application. Research object: The acquisition of biological knowledge through the application of learning techniques. Research implementation: The study was conducted during the second semester of the 2025 academic year, from January to May, involving students from the 9th to the 12th grades on a gymnasium biology course. The initial analysis revealed that students found it easier to memorise concepts and choose correct answers, while performing more complex, real-life context tasks proved to be more challenging. To enhance knowledge acquisition, active learning techniques were applied in the lessons, including mnemonics, meaningful repetition, and deliberate memorisation. Research results: The findings revealed that the applied learning techniques improved the understanding of biological concepts and phenomena, facilitated the application of knowledge in new situations, strengthened analytical thinking skills, and encouraged active participation in discussions. The application of learning techniques contributed to the deepening of biological knowledge, the strengthening of cognitive competence, and the long-term retention of knowledge in biology lessons.