PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS OF POST-STRESS PSYCHOTRAUMATIC FEELINGS SUSCEPTIBILITY OF COMBANANTS’ CHILDREN

The paper presents the results of the carried out experiment aimed at examining individual psychological factors of poststress psychotraumatic feelings susceptibility of children whose parents were injured or killed during the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) at the east of Ukraine. The research involved the psychodiagnostic examination of children who remained at the International Child Center “Artek” (Kyiv, Puscha-Voditsa), since this institution is created for children of socially vulnerable categories and, in particular, children of ATO participants. The sample comprised 60 respondents (14-15 years), including: an experimental group of 30 children affected by combat operations (death, injury or disappearance of one of the family members) and a control group of 30 children from two-parent families whose family members did not participate in military operations. The empirical study was conducted on the basis of observation and questioning, using a modified ClinicianAdministered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and 16PF Questionnaire by Raymond Cattel. Some differences in frequency and intensity of post-traumatic stress feelings of the experimental and control group were revealed, and on the basis of correlation analysis, the leading individual-psychological factors of destructive post-stress feelings susceptibility were established. It can be stated that the affected combatants' children affected by post-stress psychotraumatic feelings can be characterized by the increased level of tension and frustration. They are prone to aggression and depressive states; their social courage and activity is decreased, which is why they are less prepared for interacting with unfamiliar circumstances and surrounding people. These personal factors in children of the injured combatants, on the one hand, determine the socio-psychological adaptability disorders susceptibility, and on the other hand, make it possible to design or select specific psychoprophylactic measures. Purposeful influence on these personal characteristics allows to prevent social and psychological maladaptation of children and form psychological resistance to traumatic experiences.