PSYCHOSOCIAL STRAIN IN POPULATION OF THE NPP SURVEILLANCE ZONE UNDER THE WARTIME POSTURE
Authors:   State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine», Prylypko V. V. , Morozova M. M. ,   State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine», Ozerova Yu. Yu. ,   State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine», Iskra N. I. ,   State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine»
Published: December 2024

Objective: to study the level of psychosocial strain in the able-bodied population of the NPP surveillance zone (SZ) and factors that shape it under the wartime posture and possible terrorist acts.
Methods: sociological (population survey), psychosocial (psychodiagnostic testing), analytical, mathematical i.e. comparison of the generalized characteristics of signs (relative values, averages, pairwise reliability differences according to the Student's t-test, interaction of factors using a pairwise correlation (r)).
Results. It was established that the level of social and psychological strain in population of the NPP SZ during the wartime posture had increased compared to pre-war period according to the average scores of psychodiagnostic tests, namely the GHQ 28, Spielberger (reactive anxiety), vital capacity, self-assessment of the health state. Structure of the GHQ 28 scales has changed compared to the pre-accident period, namely the anxiety scale was the first, social dysfunction scale was the second, somatization scale was the third, and depression scale was the fourth. Mental disorders, diseases of the nervous system, circulatory system, and digestive system prevailed among the newly diagnosed diseases. According to respondents' self-assessments of their health, such factors have had the greatest impact on it as the war components, radiation situation, material well-being, and uncertainty about the future. Parameters characterizing the level of psychosocial strain correlated with factors affecting the state of health. Population of NPP SZ had a high vital capacity according to such indicators as vitality, psychological stability, and physical health support. All the three scores were higher in urban population of the SZ compared to rural one. In all groups of interviewees the psychological stability was higher than parameter of the physical state maintaining.
Conclusion. Social and psychological strain in the NPP SZ population was shaped by the anxiety, social dysfunction, and somatic symptoms. Average parameters of the various population groups differed significantly depending on the place of residence of respondents in the SZ, gender, marital status, and education. The components of war, radiation situation, changes in well-being, and uncertainty about the future have had greatest impact on health. A correlation was established between the parameters of psychosocial strain and average estimates of social factors, in particular those caused by the warfare.
Key words: psychosocial strain; NPP surveillance zone; factors affecting health; wartime posture.