(2023) Science and education, 4, 63-69. Odessa.

Katharina S. Freytag,
B.A. in Cultural Studies,
Leuphana University of Lüneburg,
84, Wilschenbrucher Weg, Lüneburg, Germany,
Master’s degree in psychology,
Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg,
1, Grabengasse, Heidelberg, Germany,
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1982-0628

Mykola Didukh,
Doctor of Psychology,
Senior Lecturer at the Department of Psychiatry, Medical and Special Psychology,
South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University named after K. D. Ushynsky,
26, Staroportofrankivska str., Odesa, Ukraine,
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0790-0795

VEDIC MEDITATION AS A TREATMENT FOR TRAUMA-RELATED MENTAL DISORDERS

In the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukraine, as well as countries hosting Ukrainian refugees, are facing an increased demand for treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Previous research has shown that a Transcendental Meditation (TM) program is an effective treatment for PTSD. This study examined the effectiveness of a TM program in treating PTSD symptoms and depression in Ukrainian refugees in Germany. Subjects in the meditation group (n = 40) practiced TM for 60 days, while subjects in the control group (n = 40) did not. PTSD symptoms were measured at baseline and 30 and 60 days after the tests using the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and the Revised Impact of Events Scale (IES-R). Depression symptoms were measured using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). The effect of the TM program on outcome variables was analyzed within and between groups using parametric and nonparametric procedures. After 30 days, the TM group reported significantly fewer PTSD symptoms compared to the baseline test (mean difference PCL-5 Δ = -18.53 [95% CI -25.77 to -11.28], p < . 001, IES-R Δ = -16.12 [95% CI -22.65 to -9.60], p < .001), and the proportion of subjects scoring above the PCL-5 threshold of 31 decreased from 60% to 2.5% (z = -4.80, p < .001). Reported symptoms of depression also decreased significantly (BDI-II Δ = -7.56 [95% CI -12.30 to -2.80], p < .001). These trends continued for 60 days after testing. At 30 and 60 days post-test, the TM group reported significantly fewer PTSD symptoms compared to the control group. Similar results were found for depression symptoms. The findings support the existing evidence that the TM program is a valid and effective treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder and also indicate that it may also improve depressive disorders.

treatment, PTSD, depression, meditation, transcendental meditation.

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(2023) Science and education, 4, 54-62. Odessa.

Viktor Plokhikh,
Doctor of Psychology, Professor,
Professor at the Department of General Psychology,
V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University,
6, Svobody sq., Kharkiv, Ukraine

Olena Chipilenko,
Master Student,
V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University,
6, Svobody sq., Kharkiv, Ukraine

MENTAL HEALTH MANIFESTATIONS IN TIME PERSPECTIVE ORGANIZATION OF FORCED MIGRANTS

Forced migrants struggle for survival and deal with the uncertainty of the near future. Given the number of stressful impacts they have, their future life vision is significantly affected. The purpose of this study is to determine the peculiarities of time perspective organization for forced migrants whose mental health and stress resistance are experiencing critical circumstances of life. The subjects of the study were 46 forced migrants of both young and mature ages. Empirical research was conducted using the Google Forms online service. Used Methods: ‘Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory’ (F. Zimbardo); ‘Positive Mental Health Scale’ (PMH-scale; J. Lukat et al.); ‘Riff Scales of Psychological Well-Being’ (K. Riff); Freiburg Personality Inventory (FPI, Form B); ‘Teilor’s Manifest Anxiety Scale’ (J. Taylor). Results. The results show that mentally healthier forced migrants are generally more prosperous compared to others (U = 140.00; p = .006), but only on certain grounds (life goals: U = 145.50; p=.009; self-acceptance: U = 166.00; p=.031). In the time perspective of mentally healthier forced migrants, compared to others, there was a forward-looking future perspective revealed (U = 133.00; p = .004) as well as a positive past (U = 164.00; p=.027). Anxiety in a subgroup of subjects with lower levels of mental health was at a high level and significantly higher compared to others (U = 153.00; p=.015). Conclusions. It was determined that a sufficiently high level of mental health of forced migrants in the organization of the time perspective was manifested as a balanced and consistent current state. That causes a systematic connection between experience in the past and potentially anticipated future. It has been proved that forced migrants, if there were signs of distress development, along with a lowering level of mental health and well-being, a significant increase in anxiety level and depression increase, as well as neuroticism and aggression, have a distinctive focus on negative past and limitations in regards of future definition in their time perspective organization. It has been found out that the important resource for coping with stress for forced migrants is friendship.

mental health, mental well-being, time perspective, anxiety, stress, forced migrants.

(2023) Science and education, 4, 47-53. Odessa.

Valerii Olefir,
Doctor of Psychology, Associate Professor,
Head of the Department of General Psychology,
V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University,
6, Svobody sq., Kharkiv, Ukraine,
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3552-3277

SELF-CONTROL AS A MEDIATOR OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMOTIONAL DISSONANCE AND EMOTIONAL EXHAUSTION OF TEACHERS

Relevance of the problem. Since emotional exhaustion has a negative impact on the productivity of teachers, their mental and physical health, the study of the mechanisms of this phenomenon is extremely important for the implementation of targeted psychological interventions. The purpose of this study was to study the relationship between teachers’ experience of emotional dissonance, self-control, and the level of their emotional exhaustion. We hypothesized that teachers’ emotional dissonance is associated with a high level of teachers’ emotional exhaustion. We also expected that self-control would mediate the relationship between experiencing emotional dissonance and emotional exhaustion. Research methods. 81 working middle school teachers participated in the cross-sectional study. The following research methods were used: the adapted Frankfurt Scale of Work Emotions, the Short Scale of Self-Control (BSCS), the Emotional Exhaustion Scale from the Maslach Questionnaire (MBI-HSS. The mediation model was analyzed using a Bayesian approach to structural equation modeling. Results. The results obtained confirmed the hypothesis that the emotional dissonance experienced by teachers at work is significantly associated with their burnout. The mediation hypothesis was also supported by empirical data. These results shed light on the relationship between the emotional demands of teachers’ jobs and the experience of emotional exhaustion.

emotional dissonance, burnout, self-control, teachers.

(2023) Science and education, 4, 36-46. Odessa.

Kateryna Akkaya,
PhD Student at the Department of General Psychology,
V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University,
4, Svobody sq., Kharkiv, Ukraine,
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9561-7676

VOCATIONAL IDENTITY RECONSIDERATION AND POSITIVE FUNCTIONING OF STUDENTS: MEDIATION ANALYSIS

The article examines the role of professional identity reconsideration in the system of positive functioning of students and identifies the mediators of their connection. The purpose of the study was to investigate the presence and specificity of the mediating effect of meaning in life, authenticity, and sense of agency in the relationship between career self-doubts and commitment flexibility on one hand, and subjective well-being on the other. The sample consisted of 213 students from various specialties. Psychodiagnostic methods such as the Vocational Identity Status Assessment (VISA-19), Diener’s Satisfaction with Life Scale, Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE), Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), Purpose in Life and Self-Acceptance subscales from the Scales of Psychological Well-being (C. Ryff), Authenticity Scale (Wood et al.,, 2008), and The Sense of Agency Scale (Tapal et al., 2017) have been used. As a result of the meditation analysis, it was found that commitment flexibility is a significant (reverse) predictor of meaning in life (β=-0.394, p<0.000, R2=0.155), authenticity (β=-0.319, p<0.000, R2=0.102), and sense of agency (β=-0.293, p<0.000, R2=0.086). Career self-doubts also significantly predict a decrease in meaning in life (β=-0.676, p<0.000, R2=0.457), authenticity (β=-0.521, p<0.000, R2=0.272), and sens of agency (β=-0.494, p<0.000, R2=0.244). In a parallel meditation analysis model, meaning in life was identified as a statistically significant mediator in both cases, showing a reverse effect: -0.211 with a 95% CI [-1.625; -0.695] and -0.337 with a 95% CI [-2.165;-0.940] respectively. It is noted that explaining the non-significant results of mediation for authenticity and sense of agency requires further research.

vocational identity, positive (optimal) functioning, commitment flexibility, identity reconsideration, subjective well-being, authenticity, meaning in life, sense of agency.