Humanities Studios: Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy

Psychosocial impact of war on Ukrainian youth: Analysis of resilience, social adaptation, and civic engagement

Iryna Vakulyk
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Abstract

The relevance of the work is due to the growing psychological consequences of war for children and youth in Ukraine, which has created an urgent need to examine their psychoemotional state and develop comprehensive support measures. The purpose of the study was to examine the psychological impact of military events on young people aged 15-24 years and determine the mechanisms of trauma, ways to overcome it, and develop resilience. A set of methods was used to achieve this goal: questionnaires with the inclusion of closed and open questions, analysis of scientific sources, quantitative data processing, as well as comparative analysis to identify patterns and differences between different age and social groups. In the course of the study, theoretical approaches to post-traumatic stress disorder, social adaptation, and resilience were reviewed, which formed a conceptual basis for analysing the real experience of young people. The features of psychoemotional reactions of young people were established, including increased anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and the need for a stable social and educational environment. The survey data were analysed, providing for the assessment of the level of social support, participation in social activities, and volunteer initiatives. General trends and differences between different groups were summarised, and comparison with the results presented in publications by other authors confirmed the reliability and relevance of the conclusions obtained. The results of the study have direct application for improving comprehensive support for children who have experienced war. The practical value of the paper lies in the possibility of using its results by psychologists, social workers, teachers, and local self-government bodies to improve programmes of comprehensive psychosocial support for children and youth who experienced the war, promote the development of their internal stability and social activity

Keywords

children of war; identity in wartime; psychological stability of young people; post-traumatic stress disorder; post-traumatic development; stress coping mechanisms; social support practices

Suggested citation
Vakulyk, I. (2026). Psychosocial impact of war on Ukrainian youth: Analysis of resilience, social adaptation, and civic engagement. Humanities Studios: Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, 14(1), 52-66. https://doi.org/10.31548/hspedagog/1.2026.52
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