2026-2-doc

Viktoriia Overchuk, Zoryna Boiarska POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH IN WARTIME: ASSOCIATIONS WITH ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND WELL-BEING

(2026) Science and education, 2, 50-55. Odessa.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.24195/2414-4665-2026-2-6

Viktoriia Overchuk,
Doctor of Economic Sciences,
Candidate of Psychological Sciences, Professor,
Director of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Psychology,
Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University,
21, 600-richchia Str., Vinnytsia, Ukraine,
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7744-9346

Zoryna Boiarska,
Candidate of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor,
Master of Psychology,
Research Fellow at the Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics,
Vilnius University,
7, Saulėtekio Ave., Vilnius, Lithuania
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6722-2498

POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH IN WARTIME: ASSOCIATIONS WITH ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND WELL-BEING

SUMMARY:

The full-scale war has placed the population of Ukraine under conditions of prolonged stress, uncertainty, and repeated traumatic exposure. In such circumstances, mental health should be considered not only through symptoms of distress but also through indicators of positive mental health and well-being. This integrated perspective is consistent with the dual-continua model and allows for a more nuanced account of psychological functioning under prolonged societal strain. The aim of the study was to examine how state and trait anxiety were associated with depressive symptoms, positive mental health, subjective well-being, psychological well-being, and relationship satisfaction in Ukrainian adults surveyed during the war. The study used a cross-sectional anonymous online survey conducted throughout 2024 among 168 adults aged 18–56 years, including students and academic staff from Vinnytsia and Vilnius. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Burns Depression Checklist, the Positive Mental Health Scale, and the Modified BBC Subjective Well-being Scale were used. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation analysis were applied. The findings showed that higher levels of state and trait anxiety, as well as more pronounced depressive symptoms, were consistently associated with lower positive mental health, subjective well-being, and psychological well-being. A pronounced association was also observed between subjective and psychological well-being, suggesting a substantial overlap between these dimensions under conditions of prolonged wartime strain. Relationship satisfaction was linked to lower distress and better well-being. The findings indicate that, in populations living under wartime conditions, mental health assessment should include not only distress symptoms but also indicators of positive functioning and interpersonal resources.

KEYWORDS:

anxiety, depression, positive mental health, subjective well-being, psychological well-being, relationship satisfaction, wartime, Ukraine, war-related stress, dual-continua model

FULL TEXT:

REFERENCES:

1. Burns, D. D. (1989). The Feeling Good Handbook: Using the New Mood Therapy in Everyday Life. New York, NY: W. Morrow.
2. D’Urso, G., Juvonen, J., & Salmivalli, C. (2023). Do adolescence peer victimization experiences hamper healthy relationships in young adulthood? European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 20(5), 836–850. https://doi.org/10.1080/17405629.2023.2216448
3. Franken, K., Lamers, S. M. A., ten Klooster, P. M., Bohlmeijer, E. T., & Westerhof, G. J. (2018). Validation of the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form and the dual continua model of well-being and psychopathology in an adult mental health setting. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 74(12), 2187–2202. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22659
4. Greenglass, E., Begic, P., Buchwald, P., Karkkola, P., & Hintsa, T. (2024). Anxiety and watching the war in Ukraine. International Journal of Psychology, 59(2), 340–352. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.13099
5. Koh, Z. H., Serbetci, D., Skues, J., & Murray, G. (2025). Toward digital self-monitoring of mental health in the general population: Scoping review of existing approaches to self-report measurement. JMIR Mental Health, 12, e59351. https://doi.org/10.2196/59351
6. Kolisnyk, L., & Mehlsen, M. Y. (2025). Tracking changes in anxiety, depression, and stress among Ukrainian university students: A three-wave study from the COVID-19 pandemic to two years of ongoing full-scale war. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 16(1), Article 2543616. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2025.2543616
7. Lukat, J., Margraf, J., Lutz, R., van der Veld, W. M., & Becker, E. S. (2016). Psychometric properties of the Positive Mental Health Scale (PMH-scale). BMC Psychology, 4, Article 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-016-0111-x
8. Măirean, C., Cobzeanu, A., & Dănilă, O. (2025). Breaking news, breaking minds? Social media engagement and peritraumatic stress behavior immediately after the Russian-Ukrainian war outbreak: The role of peritraumatic anxiety and dispositional resilience. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 20, Article 100808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2025.100808
9. Matlock, K. A., Pérez-Escamilla, R., & Wagner, J. (2024). Depression and anxiety mediate the relationship between discrimination and well-being in a sample of Latinx adults with type 2 diabetes: Results from a dual mediation analysis. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 26(3), 453–460. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-024-01582-w
10. Neumann, E., & Rohmann, E. (2024). Attachmentbased retrospective classifications of parental caregiving in childhood and their links with psychological wellbeing and mental health in young adults. Current Psychology, 43(5), 4710–4718. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04621-1
11. Onorato, P. R., Rawana, J. S., & Flett, G. L. (2025). An examination of the role of interpersonal emotion regulation on the link between social anxiety and wellbeing. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 49(3), 662–672. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-024-10566-x
12. Pontin, E., Schwannauer, M., Tai, S., & Kinderman, P. (2013). A UK validation of a general measure of subjective well-being: The modified BBC subjective well-being scale (BBC-SWB). Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 11(1), Article 150. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-11-150
13. Spielberger, C. D., Gorsuch, R. L., Lushene, R., Vagg, P. R., & Jacobs, G. A. (1983). Manual for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Form Y) (“Self-Evaluation Questionnaire”). Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.

14. Weijers, A., Rasing, S., Creemers, D., Vermulst, A., Schellekens, A. F. A., & Westerhof, G. J. (2021). The relationship between depressive symptoms, general psychopathology, and well-being in patients with major depressive disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 77(6), 1472–1486. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23083
15. Winzer, R., Lindblad, F., Sorjonen, K., & Lindberg, L. (2014). Positive versus negative mental health in emerging adulthood: A national cross-sectional survey. BMC Public Health, 14, Article 1238. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-1238
16. Zvolensky, M. J., Robison, J. H., Ayers, Z. S., Senger, A. R., Clausen, B. K., Businelle, M. S., & Gallagher, M. W. (2024). Anxiety sensitivity and COVID-19 mental health, fatigue, and well-being: A longitudinal examination among adults in the United States during March–October 2020. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 53(6), 642–660. https://doi.org/10.1080/16506073.2024.2360054

Olena Kosyanova, Anna Alkan THE ROLE OF EMOTIONAL STATES AND MECHANISMS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ADAPTATION IN THE FORMATION OF DECEPTION MOTIVES IN PERSONALITY

(2026) Science and education, 2, 45-49. Odessa.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.24195/2414-4665-2026-2-5

Olena Kosyanova,
Candidate of Psychological Sciences,
Associate Professor at the Department of Theory and Methods of Practical Psychology,
The state institution «South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University named after K. D. Ushynsky»,
26, Staroportofrankivska Str., Odesa, Ukraine,
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9532-9981

Anna Alkan,
Bachelor’s Degree Applicant,
The state institution «South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University named after K. D. Ushynsky»,
26, Staroportofrankivska Str., Odesa, Ukraine,
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8923-7662

THE ROLE OF EMOTIONAL STATES AND MECHANISMS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ADAPTATION IN THE FORMATION OF DECEPTION MOTIVES IN PERSONALITY

SUMMARY:

The article examines the role of emotional states and psychological adaptation mechanisms in forming deception motives in women during the second phase of early adulthood (aged 30–40). The relevance is determined by the increasing psychoemotional burden under martial law in Ukraine and insufficient study of the link between adaptation mechanisms and deception in this population. The aim was to determine how depression, anxiety, stress, and psychological defence mechanisms contribute to deception motives. Forty women participated; three instruments were applied: the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS‑21, adapted by I. Halytska, M. Klimanska, M. Perun), the Life Style Index (R. Plutchik, H. Kellerman, H. R. Conte, adapted by Vasserman), and the «Types and Motives of Deception» questionnaire (O. Yu. Kosyanova). Intellectualisation (52.5% high level) and denial (40% high level) dominate among defence mechanisms; protection from emotional pain, concealment of personal information, and relationship protection are the leading deception motives. Significant correlations were found: a negative relationship between stress and intellectualisation (r = –.358, p < .05), a positive relationship between denial and intellectualisation (r = .407, p < .01), and strong positive associations among protective deception motives (r = .540–.689, p < .001). Scientifically, the study provides empirical evidence for the defensive-adaptive function of deception in women under chronic stress. Practically, the findings can inform psychological support programmes for women in crisis.

KEYWORDS:

emotional states, psychological defence mechanisms, deception motives, psychological adaptation, early adulthood, stress, anxiety, women

FULL TEXT:

REFERENCES:

1. Vavryniv, O. S., Khrystuk, O. L. (2023). Doslidzhennia psykhoemotsiinykh staniv osobystosti pid vplyvom stresohennykh faktoriv [Study of psycho-emotional states of personality under the influence of stressogenic factors]. Naukovyi visnyk Lvivskoho derzhavnoho universytetu vnutrishnikh sprav. Seriia psykholohichna., 2, 11–15. https://doi.org/10.32782/2311-8458/2023-2-2 [in Ukrainian].
2. Havrylkevych, V., Firstova, O. (2023). Emotsiini stany osobystosti: teoretychne doslidzhennia fenomenu [Emotional states of personality: theoretical study of the phenomenon]. Psykholohichni travelohy, 2, 41–50. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31891/PT-2023-2-15 [in Ukrainian].
3. Ukrainskyi instytut maibutnoho (2023). Emotsiinopsykholohichnyi stan ukraintsiv: Zvit za rezultatamy onlain-doslidzhennia [Emotional and psychological state of Ukrainians: Report based on online survey results]. Kyiv: UIM. 28 p. [in Ukrainian].
4. Freud, A. (2020). Ya ta mekhanizmy zakhystu [The ego and the mechanisms of defence]. Kyiv: Astrolyabia. 224 p. [in Ukrainian].
5. Chebykin, O., Kosyanova, O. (2025). Emotional development and youths’ predisposition to deception: An experimental study using the polygraph method. New York: Routledge. 165 p. [in English].
6. Beck, A. T. (1967). Depression: Clinical, experimental, and theoretical aspects. New York: Harper & Row. 370 p. [in English].
7. Ekman, P. (1985). Telling lies: Clues to deceit in the marketplace, politics, and marriage. New York: Norton. 368 p. [in English].
8. Erikson, E. H. (1980). Identity and the life cycle. New York: Norton. 191 p. [in English].
9. Feldman, R. S. (2009). The liar in your life. New York: Twelve Books. 288 p. [in English].
10. Selye, H. (1956). The stress of life. New York: McGraw-Hill. 324 p. [in English].
11. Spielberger, C. D. (1972). Anxiety: Current trends in theory and research. New York: Academic Press. 306 p. [in English].

Larysa Zhuravlova, Anastasia Shevchuk SCREENING QUESTIONNAIRE OF PRONENESS TO METEOSENSITIVITY

(2026) Science and education, 2, 37-44. Odessa.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.24195/2414-4665-2026-2-4

Larysa Zhuravlova,
Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor,
Professor at the Department of Psychology,
Polissia National University,
7, Staryi Boulevard, Zhytomyr, Ukraine,
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4020-7279

Anastasia Shevchuk,
Master of the Educational and Professional Program “Practical Psychology”
at the Department of Psychology,
Polissia National University,
7, Staryi Boulevard, Zhytomyr, Ukraine,
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5564-3200

SCREENING QUESTIONNAIRE OF PRONENESS TO METEOSENSITIVITY

SUMMARY:

The relevance of the problem is determined by the growing proneness to meteosensitivity in the population. The physically uncomfortable condition caused by meteosensitivity becomes an additional burden leading to the destabilization of cognitive functions and the motivational sphere of personality. The conducted analysis of theoretical and empirical studies demonstrated the insufficiency of psychodiagnostic instruments that could be used to purposefully investigate the phenomenon of meteosensitivity and its personality correlates. The aim of the study was to develop and validate a screening questionnaire of proneness to meteosensitivity in the context of the educational environment. Research methods: theoretical analysis of scientific sources, modeling, methods of descriptive statistics and scale reliability analysis, as well as confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and the calculation of Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for quantitative data processing. An original screening questionnaire, “Proneness to Meteosensitivity,” was developed, validated, and described; it makes it possible to diagnose the characteristics of the severity of meteosensitivity in students and its personality correlates. In particular, for the diagnosis of the psychological factors of meteosensitivity, it was considered important to determine the individual’s proneness to conformity and sensitivity to mechanisms of social influence. Based on empirical data, a factor model of the phenomenon of meteosensitivity was developed and verified, including two dimensions: “proneness to meteosensitivity” proper and “proneness to conformity.” The model explains 63.6% of the variance in the data and demonstrates high internal consistency (α = 0.771). The obtained results confirm that meteosensitivity is associated with personality conformity and can be investigated in the context of psychology.

KEYWORDS:

original instrument, meteosensitivity, learning activity, factor model of the phenomenon of meteosensitivity, validation, standardization, psychological factors of meteosensitivity

FULL TEXT:

REFERENCES:

1. Бойко О. В., Сеник А. П., Хобор О. Р., Різничок С. В., Басалкевич О. Є. Застосування інформаційних технологій для прогнозування ризиків впливу метеозалежності. Інформаційні технології: наука, техніка, технологія, освіта, здоров’я. Харків : НТУ «ХПІ», 2023. С. 1110. URL: https://repository.kpi.kharkov.ua/handle/KhPI-Press/80196 (дата звернення: 29.11.2025).
2. Зауі Ель Мехді, Фікрі Н. Порівняльний аналіз індексу Хільдебранта у студентів з різним рівнем метеозалежності. Фізіологія – медицині, фармації та педагогіці: актуальні проблеми та сучасні досягнення : матеріали V Всеукр. наук. конф., м. Харків, 16 трав. 2018 р. Харків, 2018. С. 46. URL: https://repo.knmu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/20367 (дата звернення: 30.11.2025).
3. Колесніков І. Р., Семесенко Н. О., Ситник Д. В., Сидора Р. А., Іванов І. В. Дослідження особистісного адаптаційного потенціалу у осіб молодого віку із різним ступенем метеочутливості. Фізіологія – медицині, фармації та педагогіці: актуальні проблеми та сучасні досягнення : матеріали V Всеукр. наук. конф., м. Харків, 16 трав. 2018 р. Харків, 2018. С. 54. URL: https://repo.knmu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/20398 (дата звернення: 30.11.2025).
4. Радзівіл І. І., Черниш Г. О., Мороз Г. А. Особливості динаміки захворювань у осіб молодого віку з різним ступенем метеочутливості. Фізіологія – медицині, фармації та педагогіці: актуальні проблеми та сучасні досягнення : матеріали V Всеукр. наук. конф., м. Харків, 16 трав. 2018 р. Харків, 2018. С. 73. URL: https://repo.knmu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/20399 (дата звернення: 29.11.2025).
5. Ротозій А. Ю. Метеочутливість як наслідок зміни клімату і погодних умов. Екологічна безпека держави : тези доп. ІІ Всеукр. круглого столу, м. Київ, 15 груд. 2021 р. Київ : ІТТА, 2021. С. 198–201.

6. Севрук А. В., Коваль М. Ю., Свентозельська Т. В. Якість життя осіб молодого віку з різним рівнем метеочутливості : Фізіологія – медицині, фармації та педагогіці: актуальні проблеми та сучасні досягнення : V Всеукраїнська наукова конференція студентів та молодих вчених з фізіології з міжнародною участю Харків, 2018. С. 75. URL: https://repo.knmu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/20414 (дата звернення: 30.11.2025).
7. Baylis P. et al. Weather impacts expressed sentiment. PLoS ONE. 2018. Vol. 13. e0195750. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0195750
8. Feddersen J., Metcalfe R., Wooden M. Subjective wellbeing: Why weather matters. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series A. 2016. Vol. 179. P. 203–228. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/rssa.12118
9. Hoxha M., Zappacosta B. Meteoropathy: A review on the current state of knowledge. Journal of Medicine and Life. 2023. Vol. 16, No. 6. P. 837. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25122/jml-2023-0097
10. Mazza M. et al. Description and validation of a questionnaire for the detection of meteoropathy and meteorosensitivity: The METEO-Q. Comprehensive Psychiatry. 2012. Vol. 53, No. 1. P. 103–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2011.02.002
11. O’Neill B. C. et al. The effect of education on determinants of climate change risks. Nature Sustainability. 2020. Vol. 3, No. 7. P. 520–528. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-0512-y
12. Oniszczenko W. Affective temperaments and meteoropathy among women: A cross-sectional study. PLoS ONE. 2020. Vol. 15, No. 5. e0232725. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0232725
13. Oniszczenko W. Big Five personality traits, BIS/BAS dimensions and meteoropathy: A mediation model. Current Issues in Personality Psychology. 2025. Vol. 13, no. 1. P. 1–9. https://doi.org/10.5114/cipp/186714
14. Rzeszutek M, Oniszczenko W, Zalewska I, Pięta M. Personality profiles and meteoropathy intensity: A comparative study between young and older adults. PLOS ONE. 2020. 15(11): e0241817. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0241817
15. Slankamenac P., Stefanović D., Žikić M. Neurologija danas. Medicinski pregled. 2007. Vol. 60, No. 11–12. P. 629–635.
16. Srivastava P., Trinh T. A., Zhang X. Weather effects on academic performance: An analysis using administrative data. Population and Environment. 2025. Vol. 47, No. 3. P. 25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11111-025-00495-6
17. Žikić M., Rabi-Žikić T. Meteoropathy and meteorosensitive persons. Medicinski pregled. 2018. Vol. 71, No. 3–4. P. 131–135. https://doi.org/10.2298/MPNS1804131Z

Larysa Butuzova, Kseniia Havrylovska PERSONAL ADAPTATIONS AMONG HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF ANXIETY

(2026) Science and education, 2, 26-36. Odessa.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.24195/2414-4665-2026-2-3

Larysa Butuzova,
Candidate of Psychological Sciences,
Associate Professor at the Department of Psychology,
Speech Therapy and Inclusive Education,
Zhytomyr Ivan Franko State University,
40, Velyka Berdychivska Str., Zhytomyr, Ukraine,
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2112-5211

Kseniia Havrylovska,
Candidate of Psychological Sciences,
Associate Professor at the Department of Social and Applied Psychology,
Zhytomyr Ivan Franko State University,
40, Velyka Berdychivska Str., Zhytomyr, Ukraine,
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5919-6421

PERSONAL ADAPTATIONS AMONG HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF ANXIETY

SUMMARY:

This article examines the characteristics of personal adaptations among first-year students with varying levels of anxiety (n=157). Trends in the manifestation of anxiety among first-year students were analyzed, correlations with personal adaptations have been identified. A tendency toward an increase in the level of positive perception of one’s own mental health was observed as anxiety levels among first-year students decreased. It was determined by comparing groups of students with high, moderate, and low levels of anxiety, it was found that individuals with high anxiety levels significantly more often use the “Creative-Dreamer” and “Playful-Oppositionist” personal adaptations, which help them cope with emotional discomfort through withdrawal from the social environment or passive-aggressive behavior. Positive associations between anxiety manifestations and nearly all personal coping strategies were identified (the strongest being with “Playful-Oppositionist”, “Brilliant-Skeptic”, “Creative-Dreamer”, and “Overreacting-Enthusiast”). When highly developed, personal coping mechanisms play a compensatory role, helping students maintain emotional stability in the short term; however, they do not provide a lasting effect in improving their mental well-being, as reflected in a deterioration in their perception of their own mental health. Students with low levels of anxiety utilize a broader range of personal adaptations and have a more positive perception of their own mental health.

KEYWORDS:

JPAQ (Jones’s Personal Adaptations Questionnaire), personality adaptation, personal anxiety, mental health, situational (reactive) anxiety, anxiety, anxiousness

FULL TEXT:

REFERENCES:

1. Alfuzova, H.V., Naidionova, H.O., & Krotenko, V.I. (2022). Osoblyvosti psykhichnoho zdorovia pershokursnykiv na etapi adaptatsii do profesiinoho navchannia v umovakh voiennoho stanu [Peculiarities of mental health of first-year students at the stage of adaptation to professional training in the conditions of martial law]. Habitus – Habitus, 41, 278–283. https://doi.org/10.32782/2663-5208.2022.41.49 [in Ukrainian].
2. Atakhanov, B., & Chebykin, O. (2023). Doslidzhennia emotsiino-osobystisnykh osoblyvostei yak virohidnykh determinant psykholohichnoi kryzy v molodi [Research on emotional and personality characteristics as probable determinants of psychological crisis in youth]. Nauka i Osvita – Science and Education, 2, 95–103. https://doi.org/10.24195/2414-4665-2023-2-14 [in Ukrainian].
3. Afanasieva, N.Ye. (2022). Osoblyvosti vzaiemozviazku samootsinky ta psykholohichnykh zakhystiv u zdobuvachiv vyshchoi osvity [Peculiarities of the relationship between self-esteem and psychological defenses in higher education seekers]. Habitus – Habitus, 39, 140–144. https://doi.org/10.32843/2663-5208.2022.39.25 [in Ukrainian].
4. Bohdan, Zh., & Romanovska, O. (2024). Romanovska O. Stresostiikist zdobuvachiv vyshchoi osvity v umovakh viiny. Sotsialno-psykholohichnyi suprovid u mehapolisi : kolektyvna monohrafiia [Stress resistance of higher education seekers in the conditions of war. Socio-psychological support in a metropolis: collective monograph]. In O. O. Rezvan (Ed.), (pp. 212–238). Ivanchenko I. S. Publishing House. https://repository.hneu.edu.ua/bitstream/123456789/32099/1/Bohdan_Romanovska.pdf [in Ukrainian].
5. Butuzova, L., Braikovska, A., & Timofieieva, K. (2024). V. Opytuvalnyk osobystisnykh adaptatsii V. Dzhoinsa JPAQ: adaptatsiia ukrainomovnoi versii [Joines’s [Personality Adaptation Questionnaire JPAQ: adaptation of the Ukrainianlanguage version]. Nauka i Osvita – Science and Education, 4, 31–50. https://doi.org/10.24195/2414-4665-2024-4-6 [in Ukrainian].
6. Butuzova, L.P. (2024). Kontseptsiia osobystisnykh adaptatsii u fokusi tranzaktsiinoho analizu [The concept of personality adaptations in the focus of transactional analysis]. XLVI International scientific and practical conference «Scientific Research in the Era of Digital Technologies: Challenges and Opportunities», Barcelona, Spain, 278–286. http://eprints.zu.edu.ua/id/eprint/42218 [in Ukrainian].
7. Butuzova, L.P., & Havrylovska, K.P. (2024). Potentsial osobystisnykh adaptatsii u podolanni tryvozhnosti studentiv [Potential of personality adaptations in overcoming student anxiety]. Materials of the XX International scientific and practical conference «Scientific Research: Modern Challenges and Prospects», Prague, Czech Republic, 179–183. http://eprints.zu.edu.ua/id/eprint/39888 [in Ukrainian].
8. Herush, I., Dikal, M., & Bilous, T. (2018). Otsinka rivnia tryvozhnosti inozemnykh studentiv pershoho kursu medychnoho universytetu [Assessment of the anxiety level of foreign first-year students of a medical university].
Nauka i Osvita – Science and Education, 1, 124–130. https://doi.org/10.24195/2414-4665-2018-1-17 [in Ukrainian].
9. Ivantsev, L., & Ivanyshyn, T. (2019). Psykholohichni chynnyky vynyknennia osobystisnoi tryvozhnosti u studentskoi molodi [Psychological factors of the occurrence of personal anxiety in student youth]. Visnyk Prykarpatskoho universytetu: filosofski i psykholohichni nauky – Bulletin of the Precarpathian University: Philosophical and Psychological Sciences, 22, 76–82. https://doi.org/10.15330/vpufpn.22.76-82 [in Ukrainian].
10. Nikitina, O. P. (2023). Psykholohichnyi vplyv viiny na obraz zhyttia osobystosti suchasnoho studenta. [Psychological impact of war on the lifestyle of a modern student’s personality]. Habitus – Habitus, 48, 120–124. https://doi.org/10.32782/2663-5208.2023.48.21 [in Ukrainian].
11. Olefir, V. O. (2011). Vzaiemozviazok zhyttiestiikosti, kopinh–stratehii ta psykholohichnoho blahopoluchchia. [Interrelation of resilience, coping strategies and psychological well-being]. Visnyk Kharkivskoho natsionalnoho universytetu imeni V. N. Karazina. Seriia: Psykholohiia – The Bulletin of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. Series: Psychology, 968(47), 168–172. http://nbuv.gov.ua/UJRN/VKhIPC_2011_981_47_38 [in Ukrainian].
12. Turchak, O. M. (2015). Psykholohichni osoblyvosti verbalnykh proiaviv tryvozhnosti studentiv u sytuatsiiakh emotsiinoi napruhy [ Psychological features of verbal manifestations of student anxiety in situations of emotional stress] (Publication No. 8661) [Doctoral dissertation, Ostroh Academy]. ePrintsOA. https://eprints.oa.edu.ua/id/eprint/8661/1/Tyrchak_O_M.pdf [in Ukrainian].
13. Tsiuniak, O. (2021). Stan mentalnoho zdorovia zdobuvachiv vyshchoi osvity u period dystantsiinoho navchannia. [The state of mental health of higher education seekers during the period of distance learning]. Aktualni pytannia humanitarnykh nauk – Current issues of the humanities, 35(3), 250–255. https://doi.org/10.24919/2308-4863/36-3-42 [in Ukrainian].
14. Chebykin, O. (2021). Kontseptualni pidkhody mozhlyvostei doslidzhennia osnov emotsiinoho zdorovia uchasnykiv navchalnoi diialnosti v umovakh koronavirusnoi pandemii [Conceptual approaches to the possibilities of researching the foundations of the emotional health of participants in educational activities in the conditions of the coronavirus pandemic]. Nauka i Osvita – Science and Education, 4, 23–29. https://doi.org/10.24195/2414-4665-2021-4-3 [in Ukrainian].

15. Chernozhuk, Yu., & Uzun, I. (2020). Emotsiinyi intelekt maibutnikh pedahohiv z riznym rivnem tryvozhnosti [Emotional intelligence of future teachers with different levels of anxiety]. Nauka i Osvita – Science and Education, 2, 44–50. https://doi.org/10.24195/2414-4665-2020-2-6 [in Ukrainian].
16. Joines, V. (1986). Using redecision therapy with different personality adaptations. Transactional Analysis Journal, 16(3), 152–160. https://doi.org/10.1177/036215378601600302 [in English].
17. Joines, V. (2002). Personality Adaptation Questionnaire (JPAQ): Administration, scoring and interpretation manual (3rd ed.). Southeast Institute for Group and Family Therapy. [in English].
18. Joines, V. (2011). Personality adaptations further clarified. Transactional Analysis Journal, 41(1), 92–96. https://doi.org/10.1177/036215371104100111 [in English].
19. Joines, V., & Stewart, I. (2002). Personality adaptations: A new guide to human understanding in psychotherapy and counselling. Lifespace Publishing. [in English].
20. Kahler, T. (1982). Process communication model. Kahler Communication, Inc. [in English].
21. Kahler, T. (1996). Personality pattern inventory (revised). Kahler Communication, Inc. [in English].
22. Kahler, T. (2008). The process therapy model: The six personality types with adaptations. Taibi Kahler Associates, Inc. [in English].
23. Misra, R., & McKean, M. (2000). College students’ academic stress and its relation to their anxiety, time management, and leisure satisfaction. American Journal of Health Studies, 16(1), 41–51. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/209835950 [in English].
24. Son, C., Hegde, S., Smith, A., Wang, X., & Sasangohar, F. (2020). Effects of COVID-19 on college students’ mental health in the United States: Interview survey study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(9), Article e21279. https://doi.org/10.2196/21279 [in English].
25. Stallman H.M. (2010). Psychological distress in university students: A comparison with general population data. Australian Psychologist, 45(4), 249–257. https://doi.org/10.1080/00050067.2010.482109 [in English].
26. Vannucci, A., Flannery, K. M., & Ohannessian, C. M. (2017). Social media use and anxiety in emerging adults. Journal of Affective Disorders, 207, 163–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2016.08.040 [in English].
27. Ware, P. (1983). Personality adaptations: (Doors to therapy). Transactional Analysis Journal, 13(1), 11–19. https://doi.org/10.1177/036215378301300104 [in English].

Iryna Brynza, Nataliia Chernenko EXISTENTIAL RESOURCES OF PERSONALITY IN PRESERVING MENTAL HEALTH UNDER CRISIS CONDITIONS

(2026) Science and education, 2, 17-25. Odessa.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.24195/2414-4665-2026-2-2

Iryna Brynza,
Candidate of Psychological Sciences, Associate Professor,
Associate Professor at the Department of General and Differential Psychology,
The state institution “South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University named after K. D. Ushynsky”,
26, Staroportofrankivska Str., Odesa, Ukraine,
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7159-6639

Nataliia Chernenko,
Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor,
Professor at the Department of Educational Management and Public Administration,
The state institution “South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University named after K. D. Ushynsky”,
26, Staroportofrankivska Str., Odesa, Ukraine,
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2288-8824

EXISTENTIAL RESOURCES OF PERSONALITY IN PRESERVING MENTAL HEALTH UNDER CRISIS CONDITIONS

SUMMARY:

The article presents the results of an empirical study aimed at examining the specifics of the actualization of existential resources of the individual in maintaining mental health under crisis conditions. The relevance of the study is determined by the need for an in-depth analysis of existential resources as a key component of mental health, ensuring psychological resilience in situations of prolonged stress, uncertainty, and life losses. Among such resources, faith and hope occupy a central place, serving as critical determinants of adaptation and the preservation of psychological balance in crisis circumstances. It is substantiated that faith and hope are not merely abstract or purely ideological categories, but function as concrete psychological resources capable of supporting individual resilience. Faith is considered the foundation of existential meaning and internal support, contributing to the preservation of identity and the integrity of the self in conditions of loss, traumatic experience, or radical life uncertainty. Hope, in turn, is conceptualized as a dynamic resource oriented toward the future, which activates the search for opportunities, sustains motivational processes, and facilitates constructive coping with crisis experiences. To measure the level of psychological crisis, the study applied the «Questionnaire for the Diagnosis of Professional Crisis Experience» (O. Sannikova, I. Brynza). The assessment of the existential resource of faith was carried out using the «Questionnaire for the Study of Forms of Faith» (Yu. Alekseeva), which allowed the analysis of five forms of faith as separate resource factors. To evaluate the resource of hope, an author-developed version of the «Questionnaire for the Study of Forms of Hope» was used, aimed at identifying manifestations of hope as an emotional-cognitive component of personal resilience. Analysis of correlation matrices revealed statistically significant negative relationships between most indicators of psychological crisis and the resources of faith and hope, indicating an inverse linear relationship: a decrease in the level of existential resources is accompanied by intensified crisis experiences, whereas their actualization contributes to mitigating crisis manifestations. Comparative analysis demonstrates that a crisis state significantly transforms the structure of faith, shifting it from stable, socially and personally integrated forms toward ambivalent and compensatory ones. At the same time, the results confirm that faith in the same individual may have a multiple and internally contradictory character, combining productive and unproductive forms, rational and irrational elements, which should be considered when developing psychological support programs in crisis situations. It was found that in the non-crisis group, existential hope primarily performs regulatory and prognostic functions, ensuring the stability of personal functioning and the formation of a positive life perspective. In contrast, in the crisis group, hope acquires an ambivalent, fragmented, and compensatory character, highlighting the need for targeted psychological support. The development and strengthening of existential hope in crisis conditions should focus on fostering meaning-making resources, enhancing the subjectivity of the individual, and activating social support resources, in line with contemporary approaches to the psychological rehabilitation of individuals affected by military actions and forced displacement.

KEYWORDS:

existential resources of the individual, mental health, psychological crisis, resource of faith, resource of hope

FULL TEXT:

REFERENCES:

1. Aharkov, O. A. (2024). Osobystist u kryzovykh umovakh suchasnosti: psykholohichnyi kontekst [Personality in the Crisis Conditions of Modernity: Psychological Context]. In L. M. Prisniakova (Ed.), Osobystist u kryzovykh umovakh suchasnosti: psykholohichnyi kontekst: kolektyvna monohrafiia (pp. 5–32). Dnipro: Lira. [in Ukrainian].
2. Balashenko, M., & Chebykin, O. (2023). Pro mozhlyvist vykorystannia metodyky samootsinky emotsiinoho zdorovia [On the Possibility of Using the Method of Self-Assessment of Emotional Health]. Nauka i osvita – Science and Education, (3), 36–44. https://doi.org/10.24195/2414-4665-2023-3-5 [in Ukrainian].
3. Bezrodna, V. I. (2025). Psykholohichna pidtrymka naselennia pid chas viiny: vnesok orhanizatsii hromadianskoho suspilstva [Psychological Support of the Population during War: The Contribution of Civil Society Organizations]. Mentalne zdorovia – Mental Health, (2). https://doi.org/10.32782/3041-2005/2025-2.2 [in Ukrainian].
4. Brynza, I. V., & Cherniak, E. V. (2022). Aktualizatsiia ekzystentsialnykh resursiv osobystosti v kryzi [Actualization of the Existential Resources of Personality in Crisis]. In Suchasna psykholohiia: problemy ta perspektyvy: zbirnyk naukovykh prats za materialamy Vseukrainskoi naukovopraktychnoi konferentsii “Suchasna psykholohiia: problemy i perspektyvy” [Modern Psychology: Problems and Prospects: Collection of Scientific Papers Based on the Materials of the All-Ukrainian Scientific and Practical Conference “Modern Psychology: Problems and Prospects”] (pp. 18–22). Izmail: RVV IDHU. Retrieved from https://idgu.edu.ua/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/psyholohija-vypusk-4.pdf [in Ukrainian].
5. Vashchenko, I. V., & Ivanenko, B. B. (2018). Psykholohichni resursy osobystosti v podolanni skladnykh zhyttievykh sytuatsii [Psychological Resources of Personality in Overcoming Difficult Life Situations]. Problemy suchasnoi psykholohii – Problems of Modern Psychology, (40), 33–49. https://doi.org/10.32626/2227-6246.2018-40.33-49 [in Ukrainian].
6. Veberova, A. (2024). Relihiia ta rytualy yak kopinh-stratehii pid chas viiny [Religion and Rituals as Coping Strategies during War]. Visnyk Kyivskoho natsionalnoho universytetu imeni Tarasa Shevchenka. Psykholohiia – Bulletin of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Psychology, 2(20), 31–35. https://doi.org/10.17721/BPSY.2024.2(20).5 [in Ukrainian].
7. Zhuravlova, L. P., & Baranova, A. V. (2024). Emotsiini potreby ta kopinh-stratehii doroslykh ukraintsiv v umovakh viiny [Emotional Needs and Coping Strategies of Adult Ukrainians in the Conditions of War]. Slobozhanskyi naukovyi visnyk. Seriia: Psykholohiia – Slobozhansky Scientific Bulletin. Series: Psychology, (2), 20–26. https://doi.org/10.32782/psyspu/2024.2.4 [in Ukrainian].
8. Klochko, O. M., & Klochko, O. O. (2024). Zberezhennia mentalnoho zdorovia uchasnykiv osvitnoho protsesu v umovakh voiennoho stanu [Preservation of Mental Health of Participants in the Educational Process under Martial Law]. Sotsialna robota ta psykholohiia: osvita i nauka – Social Work and Psychology: Education and Science, 2, 39–43. https://doi.org/10.32782/3041-1351/2024-2-7 [in Ukrainian].
9. Kovalenko, Yu. V. (2020). Etnorelihiina identychnist molodi yak chynnyk povedinky podolannia stresovoi sytuatsii [Ethno-Religious Identity of Youth as a Factor in Coping Behavior in a Stressful Situation] (Candidate’s thesis). Kyiv: H. S. Kostiuk Institute of Psychology of the NAES of Ukraine. [in Ukrainian].
10. Kononenko, K. O. (2025). Smyslova kryza osobystosti v ekstremalnykh umovakh zhyttia [Meaning Crisis of Personality in Extreme Living Conditions]. In Psykholohichne blahopoluchchia ta mentalne zdorovia v umovakh nevyznachenosti: materialy naukovo-praktychnoi konferentsii, m. Odesa, 7 kvitnia 2025 r. [Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health in Conditions of Uncertainty: Proceedings of the Scientific and Practical Conference, Odesa, April 7, 2025] (pp. 89–91). Lviv; Torun: Liha-Pres. https://doi.org/10.36059/978-966-397-496-5-23 [in Ukrainian].
11. Kostruba, N., & Fishchuk, O. (2023). Psykhichne zdorovia v umovakh kryzy [Mental Health in Crisis Conditions]. Lutsk: Vezha-Druk. 180 p. [in Ukrainian].
12. Lukianchuk, N. (2025). Psykholohichna pidtrymka osobystosti pid chas viiny v Ukraini [Psychological Support of Personality during the War in Ukraine]. Vcheni zapysky Universytetu “KROK” – Scientific Notes of “KROK” University, (77), 513–520. https://doi.org/10.31732/2663-2209-2025-77-513-520 [in Ukrainian].
13. Mamalyzhenko, Kh. V. (2025). Aktualizatsiia resursiv viry ta nadii v osoblyvykh umovakh zhyttiediialnosti osobystosti [Actualization of the Resources of Faith and Hope in Special Conditions of Personal Life Activity] (Master’s thesis). Odesa: South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University named after K. D. Ushynsky. Retrieved from http://dspace.pdpu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/23172 [in Ukrainian].
14. Nianko, L. Yu., & Nianko, V. V. (2024). Psykholohichna pidtrymka v umovakh viiny [Psychological Support in the Conditions of War]. Naukovyi visnyk Lvivskoho derzhavnoho universytetu vnutrishnikh sprav. Seriia psykholohichna – Scientific Bulletin of Lviv State University of Internal Affairs. Psychological Series, (1), 40–46. https://doi.org/10.32782/2311-8458/2024-1-6 [in Ukrainian].
15. Panok, V. H., & Predko, V. V. (2024). Psykholohichni osoblyvosti postkryzovoho rozvytku ukraintsiv v period viiny [Psychological Features of the Post-Crisis Development of Ukrainians during the War Period]. Naukovyi visnyk Uzhhorodskoho natsionalnoho universytetu. Psykholohiia – Scientific Bulletin of Uzhhorod National University. Psychology, 35(74), 2, 137–142. https://doi.org/10.32782/psy-visnyk/2024.2.27 [in Ukrainian].
16. Perih, I. M. (2024). Poshuk resursiv yak umova pidtrymky mentalnoho zdorovia osobystosti [Search for Resources as a Condition for Supporting the Mental Health of Personality]. In Voienni konflikty ta tekhnohenni katastrofy: istorychni ta psykholohichni naslidky: materialy IV Mizhnarodnoi naukovoi konferentsii, 18–19 kvitnia 2024 r. [Military Conflicts and Technogenic Catastrophes: Historical and Psychological Consequences: Proceedings of the 4th International Scientific Conference, April 18–19, 2024] (pp. 32–33). Ternopil: FOP Palianytsia V. A. [in Ukrainian].
17. Pylypenko, N. (2022). Psykholohichna dopomoha ta pidtrymka postrazhdalym vnaslidok viiny v Ukraini [Psychological Assistance and Support for Victims of the War in Ukraine]. Visnyk Natsionalnoho universytetu oborony Ukrainy – Bulletin of the National Defense University of Ukraine, 70(6), 142–148. https://doi.org/10.33099/2617-6858-2022-70-6-142-148 [in Ukrainian].
18. Riazantseva, O. Yu. (2019). Ekzystentsiini resursy osobystosti v umovakh sotsialnoi nestabilnosti [Existential Resources of Personality in Conditions of Social Instability]. Aktualni problemy psykholohii: zbirnyk naukovykh prats Instytutu psykholohii im. H. S. Kostiuka NAPN Ukrainy – Actual Problems of Psychology: Collection of Scientific Papers of H. S. Kostiuk Institute of Psychology of the NAES of Ukraine, 14(19), 234–243. [in Ukrainian].
19. Sannikova, O. P., & Brynza, I. V. (2003). Testopytuvalnyk diahnostyky pokaznykiv perezhyvannia profesiinoi kryzy [Questionnaire Test for Diagnosing Indicators of Experiencing a Professional Crisis]. Certificate of copyright registration for a work No. 8840 dated November 24, 2003. [in Ukrainian].
20. Tytarenko, T. M. (2020). Posttravmatychne zhyttetvorennia: sposoby dosiahnennia psykholohichnoho blahopoluchchia [Post-Traumatic Life Creation: Ways to Achieve Psychological Well-Being]. Kropyvnytskyi: Imeks-LTD. 160 p. [in Ukrainian].
21. Chebykin, O. (2021). Kontseptualni pidkhody mozhlyvostei doslidzhennia osnov emotsiinoho zdorovia uchasnykiv navchalnoi diialnosti v umovakh koronavirusnoi pandemii [Conceptual Approaches to the Possibilities of Studying the Foundations of Emotional Health of Participants in Educational Activity under the Conditions of the Coronavirus Pandemic]. Nauka i osvita – Science and Education, (4), 23–29. https://doi.org/10.24195/2414-4665-2021-4-3 [in Ukrainian].
22. Shtepa, O. (2020). Psykholohichni resursy samovidnaidennia osobystosti u hranychnykh sytuatsiiakh buttia [Psychological Resources of Personality Self-Discovery in Boundary Situations of Existence]. Problemy suchasnoi psykholohii – Problems of Modern Psychology, (49), 407–428. https://doi.org/10.32626/2227-6246.2020-49.407-428 [in Ukrainian].
23. Maddi, S. R. (2006). Hardiness: The courage to grow from stresses. Journal of Positive Psychology, 1, 160–168. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760600619609.
24. May, R. (2009). The meaning of anxiety. New York: W. W. Norton & Company. 256 p.
25. Snyder, C. R., Rand, K. L., & Sigmon, D. R. (2002). Hope theory: A member of the positive psychology family. In C. R. Snyder, & S. J. Lopez (Eds.), Handbook of Positive Psychology (pp. 257–276). New York: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780195135336.003.0019