Peculiarities of the interaction of veterans – combat participants and psychologists
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2217.2026.65.26-35Keywords:
psychological assistance, combat trauma, rehabilitation, professional interaction, mental health, crisis counselingAbstract
Background. Full-scale hostilities in Ukraine have led to a significant increase in the number of veterans requiring professional psychological assistance. At the same time, the effectiveness of psychological support largely depends on the quality of interaction between specialist and the veteran, taking into account combat experience, personal characteristics, level of trust and motivation for therapy. The relevance of the study is due to the need to identify barriers and resources in the process of psychological interaction with veterans who participated in combat operations. The aim of the article is to analyze the specific features of interaction between veterans and psychologists and to determine ways to enhance the effectiveness of psychological support.
Methods. The study employed a complex of theoretical and empirical methods, in particular, the analysis of scientific sources, semi-structured interviews, observation and generalization of practical experience of psychological work with veterans conducted at a specialized medical rehabilitation institution. The obtained data were subjected to qualitative analysis in accordance with ethical principles of psychological assistance. All participants participated in the study voluntarily and provided informed consent.
Results. The findings indicate that the key difficulties in interaction include distrust toward the specialist, a high level of psychological defenses, emotional withdrawal, and the presence of traumatic combat experience. At the same time, it was established that building partnership-based relationships, applying a trauma-oriented approach, ensuring methodological flexibility, and fostering interdisciplinary cooperation contribute to improving the effectiveness of psychological support.
Conclusions. Effective psychological assistance to veterans who participanted in combat operations requires an individualized approach, specialized professional training of psychologists to work with combat-related trauma, and the creation of a safe therapeutic space. The directions for improving psychological support proposed in the article may be applied in the practice of rehabilitation and medical institutions.
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