STUDY OF THE STRUCTURE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH OF VOLUNTEERS IN WARTIME

Abstract

The relevance of studying the psychological health of volunteers during wartime is due to the growing challenges that accompany their activities. Volunteers who actively help victims face high levels of stress, emotional exhaustion, and the risk of developing post-traumatic disorders. Their condition has a direct impact on the quality of assistance, so supporting the psychological well-being of volunteers is not only an individual but also a social necessity. The article presents a theoretical and empirical analysis of the structure of psychological health of volunteers working in military conflicts. Psychological health is defined as a multicomponent structure that includes emotional stability, social support, motivation, resilience and the ability to self-regulation. It has been determined that the psychological well-being of volunteers is a dynamic state that depends on internal characteristics (emotional stability, ability to adapt to change, stress management) and external factors (support from the social environment, access to resources). The emphasis is placed on the need for an integrated approach to supporting the psychological state of volunteers, which includes both individual and group assistance.

The empirical part of the paper contains the results of a questionnaire aimed at analyzing the main aspects of volunteers' psychological health. The study involved volunteers with different areas of activity: helping the military, civilians, and animals. It was found that 70% of respondents regularly feel emotionally exhausted, while only 40% are able to recuperate on a daily basis. The most common strategies for coping with stress are relaxation techniques (40%), communication with loved ones (30%) and physical activity (20%). At the same time, 10% of volunteers report a lack of effective mechanisms for coping with stress, which indicates the need for specialized programs to teach self-regulation techniques.

Particular attention is paid to the phenomenon of “secondary traumatization,” when volunteers themselves face symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to constant contact with traumatic events. This emphasizes the importance of providing both professional psychological assistance and a supportive social environment.

The psychological health of volunteers is a multifaceted structure that includes interrelated components that ensure their resilience and effectiveness in their work. One of the key elements is emotional stability, which implies the ability to remain calm and self-controlled in stressful situations, as well as to effectively regulate one's own emotions. Equally important is the level of cognitive flexibility that allows you to adapt to new circumstances, think strategically and find creative solutions in the face of uncertainty. Social competence provides the ability to interact effectively with others, support, empathize and build trusting relationships, which is especially important for teamwork and helping people. The level of stress resistance is important for volunteers, as their activities are often accompanied by high emotional and physical stress. This quality allows them to withstand prolonged workloads without losing efficiency and maintaining mental health. Personal resources, such as self-esteem, self-confidence, motivation, and awareness of one's role in society, also play a significant role as sources of inner strength. Psychological health is closely linked to physical well-being, so regular rest, physical activity, and a balanced diet help maintain strength and reduce the impact of stress. In addition, social support from colleagues, friends, or family is an important factor, helping to reduce psychological stress and creating conditions for emotional recovery.

Thus, the structure of psychological health of volunteers is formed through the harmonious interaction of emotional, cognitive, social and physical aspects, and is reinforced by external support and internal motivation. The balanced development of these components is the basis for successful volunteering and personal well-being.

The article emphasizes that volunteering has both positive and negative aspects. On the one hand, it contributes to the development of personal qualities such as responsibility, creativity, resilience, and the ability to navigate resources. On the other hand, it creates high risks of emotional burnout that require adequate prevention. Lack of time, energy, or resources remains a common problem that reduces the effectiveness of volunteers' activities.