PSYCHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF ENHANCING STRESS RESISTANCE LEVELS IN ADOLESCENT CHILDREN DURING TIMES OF WAR
Authors:   H.S. Kostyuk Institute of Psychology of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine, Tereshchenko Lіudmyla , Tolkunova Inna ,   National University of Physical Education and Sport of Ukraine
Published: July 2023

Relevance: The ongoing war within Ukrainian territory and the increasing prevalence of crisis phenomena in socio-political and economic processes have a significant impact on the mental well-being of individuals. Children, in particular, are experiencing heightened levels of stress due to complex social circumstances and events. The psychological effects of war on Ukrainian children, such as fear of death, concern for loved ones, and anxiety, are expected to leave lasting imprints and manifest in their adult lives. However, stress is a complex phenomenon, and its consequences are unpredictable. It may dissipate over time or give rise to various debilitating conditions such as trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, nervous breakdowns, other neurotic and mental disorders, depression, and even suicidal ideation. Professional psychological support from specialists can help address this issue and prevent potential negative consequences in the future. Objective: This study aims to review contemporary domestic and international theoretical and methodological foundations related to stress resistance in adolescent children, provide primary prevention strategies to mitigate stress among adolescent students, and foster constructive coping skills in challenging situations. Results: Through an analysis of existing theoretical and analytical studies, this work describes modern approaches to stress and stress resistance in adolescent children. It presents the findings from the psychodiagnostic phase, which explores the manifestation of stress in adolescent children. Additionally, it discusses the specificities of psychologists' work in enhancing stress resistance among adolescents. A program titled "Enhancing the Level of Stress Resistance in Adolescents" was developed to cultivate constructive coping skills among teenagers in challenging situations, particularly those occurring in military contexts. Moreover, recommendations are provided to parents for promoting stress resistance in their teenage children. Conclusions: Stress in children is a natural phenomenon, much like stress experienced by adults. It can dissipate naturally or lead to anxiety, nervous breakdowns, apathy, depression, and other related conditions. Stress resistance is a combination of personal qualities that enable individuals to withstand stressful situations, thereby avoiding negative consequences for their well-being and their environment. The components of stress resistance include psychophysiological qualities, motivation, emotional and volitional aspects, self-awareness, and intellectual capacity. Factors that trigger stress in teenagers were identified. The findings from stress assessment suggest that emotional stress is prevalent among teenagers; however, those who possess internal psychological resources or the ability to transform stressful situations into constructive search activities demonstrate greater resilience to stress. The developed and tested program for enhancing stress resistance in teenage children focuses on primary prevention and the cultivation of constructive coping skills in challenging situations. Furthermore, recommendations are provided for parents to enhance stress resistance in their teenage children, particularly in wartime conditions.