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CARE

Submitted by Agata Rudnik on
University
University of Gdańsk
Faculty/school/department
Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology
Size of the team
from 4 to 7
number of researchers
4
number of supporting staff
1
number of PhD students
1
PI
PI name
Agata Rudnik
PI email
agata.rudnik@ug.edu.pl
PI bio

Dr. Agata Rudnik is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and academic teacher at the University of Gdańsk. She leads the Academic Psychological Support Centre at the UG and specializes in health psychology, with a focus on the quality of life in gastrointestinal diseases and neurodiversity. Her research combines qualitative and mixed methods to explore patient experiences and student well-being. She has extensive experience in international collaboration and is committed to developing inclusive, evidence-based mental health support in higher education.

Contact person and e-mail
Contact person
Agata Rudnik
Contact person e-mail
agata.rudnik@ug.edu.pl
WWW
https://centrumwsparcia.ug.edu.pl/in-english/
Short description of research profile

C – Connection

Foster meaningful relationships and a sense of belonging.

  • Encourage peer support, mentorship, and inclusive communities.

  • Promote open dialogue about mental health to reduce stigma.

  • Strengthen bonds between students, faculty, and support services.

A – Awareness

Increase understanding and literacy around mental health.

  • Provide education on stress, burnout, and early warning signs.

  • Normalize help-seeking behavior and emotional self-awareness.

  • Train staff and students to recognize and respond to mental health needs.

R – Resources

Ensure access to mental health support and tools.

  • Offer counseling, workshops, and self-help materials.

  • Integrate well-being support into the academic environment.

  • Tailor services to the diverse needs of the student population.

E – Empowerment

Enable students to take charge of their well-being.

  • Promote resilience, self-care, and adaptive coping strategies.

  • Encourage agency in balancing academic and personal demands.

  • Support skill-building for managing emotions, time, and expectations.

Research area
SOCIAL SCIENCES
SOCIAL SCIENCES » Psychology
Scientific Themes (keywords)
Wellbeing
Quality of Life
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND EDUCATION
Publications

Representative publications

Rudnik, A., Sobczak, K., Sawicki, A., & Zdun-Ryżewska, A. (2025). Exploring the Interplay of Stress, Fatigue, and Empathy: The Mediating Role of Cognitive Flexibility in Enhancing the Well-being of University Students in Medical and Social Disciplines. PLOS ONE (in publication)
Rudnik, A., Anikiej-Wiczenbach, P., Szulman-Wardal, A., Conway, P., & Bidzan, M. (2021). Offering psychological support to university students in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons learned from an initial evaluation. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 635378.  https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.635378/full
Sobczak, K., Zdun-Ryżewska, A., & Rudnik, A. (2021). Intensity, dynamics and deficiencies of empathy in medical and non-medical students. BMC Medical Education, 21, 1-9. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12909-021-02927-x
Wielewska, M. K., Godzwon, J. M., Gargul, K., Nawrocka, E., Konopka, K., Sobczak, K., Rudnik, A. & Zdun-Ryzewska, A. (2022). Comparing students of medical and social sciences in terms of self-assessment of perceived stress, quality of life, and personal characteristics. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 815369. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.815369/full
Zdun-Ryżewska, A., Sobczak, K., & Rudnik, A. (2022). Fatigue, Pro-Social Attitude and Quality of Life as Predictors of Empathy in Medical and Social-Oriented Students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(23), 15853.
Events and oportunieties
Event title
Empowering Minds
Event date
-
Event description
Join us for an engaging meeting to explore the CARE Project, our initiative dedicated to supporting student mental health through Connection, Awareness, Resources, and Empowerment. Together, we’ll discuss practical strategies to create an inclusive, supportive academic environment where all students can thrive.   Please find the link to the meeting: Empowering Minds: CARE Project | Dołącz do spotkania | Microsoft Teams   See you soon!    CARE Team