Signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Combatants With Different Combat Experience and the Structure of Their Psychological Rehabilitation

Aim. To study the signs of post-traumatic stress disorder in combatants depending on the duration of their participation in combat operations and to substantiate the structure of their psychological rehabilitation. Materials and methods. The research involved 127 combatants (men) – participants of the russian war against Ukraine in 2022−2024 with different combat experiences: up to 12 months (Group 1, n = 61) and more than 12 months (Group 2, n = 66). All combatants were representatives of the National Police of Ukraine, belonged to the enlisted staff, and were undergoing inpatient treatment in neuropsychiatric medical institutions of Ukraine. Such methods as analysis and generalization of literary sources, psycho-diagnostic testing, questionnaires, and statistical methods were used in the research. Testing was carried out using the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD, and the questionnaire survey was based on the author’s questionnaire. Results. It has been found that combatants with a longer duration of stay in the combat zone have a significantly (p ≤ 0.01) higher level of PTSD manifestation by 12.5 points. It has also been found that the frequency of PTSD symptoms manifestation in combatants with more combat experience is significantly (p ≤ 0.005-0.001) higher. The signs of PTSD that are most often detected in combatants include: sleep disturbance (92.4 %); attempts to avoid thoughts and conversations about the traumatic event (89.4 %); intrusive memories of the traumatic event (83.3 %); fear, helplessness, anxiety, irritation, anger (80.3 %); feeling of alienation (74.2 %); disorders in the physiological sphere (74.2 %); cognitive sphere disorders (66.7 %); decreased interest in previously significant activities and values (68.2 %); increased vigilance, a sense of excessive control (65.1 %); aggressiveness, proneness to conflict (59.1 %). Conclusions. The structure of psychological rehabilitation of combatants with PTSD manifestations has been substantiated based on the development of a psycho-correctional training program referred to as “Formation of the Personal Space of Combatants” aimed at supporting their social and psychological adaptation, personal self-affirmation, and self-actualization. The data obtained indicate the need for further research on the effectiveness of the developed innovative approaches to psychological rehabilitation of law enforcement officers with PTSD to improve their quality of life and social adaptation.