PERCEPTION OF THE WAR-RELATED STRESS: EXPERIENCE OF UKRAINIAN STUDENTS

Abstract

The article briefly theoretically analyzes the history of the concept of stress in world science. It is noted that during this period the emphasis in his research was shifted from the conditions of ensuring the stability of the organism to the features of optimal human functioning in situations of instability and from non-specific physiological adaptation symptoms to unique psychological reactions. The main classifications of stress are analyzed, among which its division into physiological and psychological is widespread. Emphasis is also placed on identifying four main groups of symptoms of stress, such as physiological, behavioral, intellectual and emotional.

According to these groups of symptoms, the results of an empirical study of the peculiarities of stress of student youth at the beginning of a full-scale war in Ukraine are analyzed. It is stated that the most pronounced intellectual sign of stress in students were «difficulty concentrating»; more than two-thirds of them have «negative thoughts» and more than half have «increased distractions» and «thoughts about the same problem». Among the behavioral signs, the most pronounced symptom of stress during the study period was «chronic lack of time»; also, more than half of the respondents referred to «low productivity» and «decreased appetite or overeating». In the context of emotional symptoms of stress, the most pronounced in the study were «anxiety and dander»; also, about two-thirds of students report «irritability and anger». And among the physiological signs of stress, about three-quarters of respondents indicated a feeling of «increased fatigue»; more than two thirds – on «pain in various parts of the body and headaches». In general, the most pronounced in the studied students are intellectual stress symptoms.

In the process of both theoretical analysis and analysis of empirical data, their importance for providing specific psychological assistance to higher education seekers in the stress of both the full-scale war in Ukraine and the constant workload.