Journal Article

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL RECOVERY PROGRAM OF UKRAINIAN MILITARY PERSONNEL AFTER COMPLETING COMBAT MISSIONS IN THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR

Prykhodko, Ihor, Matsehora, Yanina, Kolesnichenko, Olexander, Baida, Maksim, Vasylkovskyi, Oleksandr

2023

Overview

Objectives. With the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war, the Ukrainian military personnel is experiencing combat stress. Manifestations of acute stress reactions and post-traumatic stress symptoms require psychological assistance and recovery of the soldiers' personal resources. This study aims to develop a psychological recovery program \"Invincibility Program\" for Ukrainian military personnel after performing combat missions to relieve the effects of chronic combat stress and to evaluate its effectiveness. Sample and settings. 1090 Ukrainian military personnel took part in the study, which had combat experience after February 24, 2022. Hypothesis. The psychological recovery program will help to reduce the effects of combat stress on military personnel. Statistical analyses. The statistical analysis of the study results was carried out using the program SPSS 20.0. Results. The activities of the program led to an improvement in the mental state and positively significant changes in the well-being of the participants, the mobilization of psychological resources, and an increase in the resistance of soldiers to combat stress. A high level of subjective usefulness of the program was revealed. Limitations. This study was limited by not having an active comparison condition and by not having a longitudinal follow-up.

• Publisher: Institute of Psychology, Academy of Science
• Subject: Armed forces / Combatants / Military personnel / Post traumatic stress disorder / Psychology / War