Aim. In the paper, the authors demonstrate the influence of the education and educational level of social workers on the quality of social work as a profession that helps people in unfavorable situation. They point to the importance of lifelong learning, which is essential for advancing the knowledge and competences of social workers in practice. Concept. Lifelong education for social workers is currently a necessity for their functioning not only on the basis of the rapid, dynamic changes in their problems and social clients, but also for rapid and dynamic changes in the use of methods and techniques of social work. Method. The study deals with the educational development of employees in the profession of social worker. It defines and identifies forms of continuous education of social workers, which can have different methods and which can result in different competencies of a social worker. Results. The study confirms that the lifelong learning of social workers requires constant access to support and information about education, but also to set opportunities and thus facilitate access to the education of social workers. It is necessary to realise that the competences of the social worker must be in accordance with the education that the social worker has. Conclusion. The scientific articles and contributions that we offer in this study point to lifelong learning, which has the effect of expanding the possibilities of a social worker’s work with several types of clients, increases his competences and thus acquires a lot of knowledge and skills that are subsequently applied in practice.

Aim. The aim of the research was to analyse the burnout rate of these social workers and nurses, as well as to determine the relationship between burnout syndrome and other important factors, including lifestyle, stress, resistance to stress and other selected demographic indicators. Methods. The Maslach Burnout Inventory was used to collect burnout data in 2021 during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. The research sample consisted of 623 women aged 35-55 who work in social services facilities for the elderly and nurses working in the geriatrics department at a hospital in the western part of Slovakia. Results. Research has shown that lifestyle has a significant impact on the development of burnout syndrome in connection with the quality of work and personal relationships, which can help eliminate feelings of frustration, exhaustion and personal failure in the workplace. Burnout affects social workers regardless of age and education, but with older age and length of practice in the same facility, the risk of manifestations of burnout increases. Significant differences in burnout rates between social workers and nurses in the individual dimensions of exhaustion, depersonalisation and professional attitudes were confirmed. High levels of exhaustion have even shown an increased risk of alcohol consumption among these workers. Conclusion. The development of chronic stress in health care workers can put them at risk of burnout, which is characterized by emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP) in interactions with patients and social clients, and low levels of personal accomplishment (PA) in social work and health care.

Aim. The main objective of the authors of the contribution is to submit the description of the subjective satisfaction of seniors with their lives in connection with education at the third age universities. The authors identify areas of motivation for education, barriers that may occur in this education. They also point out the knowledge and experience that seniors gain in education at the Senior universities. Methods. The analysis of the cited research results indicates subjective feelings and opinions about the satisfaction of seniors with their life and educational activities, the participation of seniors in activities offered by the Senior University (SU). Results. In the article, the authors present the results of a research project aimed at investigating the subjective life satisfaction of senior university students in the context of their education at the university, they point to the life satisfaction of seniors through quantitative research. Conclusion. Participation in the different types of activities offered by the Senior University is determined by socio-demographic factors such as the length of time seniors attend third-age universities (the Senior University), the length of time they attend classes, education level, age and other factors. Also interesting are the motives of seniors to use the offers of those universities, which are related to the desire to spend time in an interesting way, opportunities to acquire new knowledge and skills, opportunities to establish new friendships and opportunities to get involved in life.

This study evaluates the effects of two months of regular snoezelen therapy on anger-hostility (AH), assessing both psychological and physiological indicators before and after the intervention. Using the Profile of Mood States (POMS-2), the research measured changes in anger-hostility levels and stress responses, comparing pre- and post-intervention data. At baseline, participants exhibited relatively high levels of anger-hostility, with psychological scores averaging 40.14 (± 2.46) and physiological scores averaging 42.25 (± 2.71), indicating significant irritability, aggression, and elevated stress responses. After two months of multisensory stimulation in a snoezelen room, participants’ psychological scores decreased to 37.40 (± 2.26) and physiological scores to 39.50 (± 2.01), suggesting improvements in mood and physiological stress. The statistical analysis yielded a p - value of 0.047, indicating that the reductions were significant. These findings suggest that snoezelen therapy can be effective in reducing anger-hostility and associated physiological stress, offering a promising intervention for emotional regulation and stress management.

Aim. The main aim of the paper is to highlight the education of children in Roma families to practice their faith through Roma customs. The authors identify the practice of faith in Roma holidays which are baptism, sacrament of Eucharist and Confirmation, funeral. Methods. The authors use the literary-descriptive method which they use for analytical-synthetic gathering of professional and scientific knowledge. They overlap these with the practical field empirical experience of the authors dealing with the issue. Results. The Roma family is a patriarchal constitution ensuring the transmission of the cultural and customary heritage of the Roma. Through education by imitation, children learn through the customs and habits of their relatives to observe and practice the faith, thus ensuring the continuation of the family line in a living faith. Conclusion. The Roma have adopted majority Christianity in Slovakia as their own. However, Roma groups retain their customs and rituals, which they have incorporated into their religion and practice of faith. For the Roma, religion and its association with customs and traditions is a connection to God. Therefore, these rituals need to be observed in order to be handed down to the next generation.

The subject of the research are 107 recipients of social services who have been provided residential services since the beginning of the pandemic, i.e. since March 2020. The pandemic situation has significantly affected the financing as well as the functioning of social services, their employees and individuals of residential services. This study is focused on identifying key aspects and factors that most influenced the quality of services provided and life satisfaction of seniors in context of analysing the change in lifestyle habits of seniors before and during the pandemic Covid-19.