Psychological features of young people's stress resistance in war conditions

Stress resistance

Analysing the obtained data to clarify the correlation between stress resistance and depressive states, we should indicate a statistically significant (p<0.001), but medium strength correlation between stress resistance and depressive states (r = -0.477).

Stress resistance decreasing with increased manifestations of depressive states can be explained by the general deterioration of both an individual's physical and psychological state in such case. The body's homeostasis is disturbed by such negative conditions and, accordingly, the protective properties of the body, including stress resistance, deteriorate.

Intolerance to uncertainty correlated negatively with stress resistance at the medium (r = -0.464) significant (p<0.001) level. Therefore, with the growth of intolerance to uncertainty, stress resistance decreases. This fully explains the inability of an uncertainty-intolerant individual to accept a situation of uncertainty and effectively make decisions under such conditions. We also separately selected for analysis oppressive and prognostic anxiety from Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-12 of N. Carleton et al. Interestingly, correlation of stress resistance with prognostic anxiety was less significant (p<0.05) than that with depressive anxiety (p<0.001) and weaker (r = -0.242 and r = -0.625, respectively). Thus, stress tolerance correlated more strongly with the emotional component of uncertainty intolerance, which in turn was stronger related to anxiety. Thus, increasing stress resistance regulates our bodily-emotional responses in a situation of uncertainty more than cognitive attitudes.

We also found statistically significant correlations between intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety and depressive states (Table 2).

Table 2

Correlations of intolerance of uncertainty with anxiety and depressive states

As for correlations between intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety, we should note that a medium-power and highly statistically significant correlations were found (p<0.001). The observed correlations were positive, therefore, with the growth of personal (r = 0.715) and reactive anxiety (r = 0.517), intolerance to uncertainty also increased. In addition, the «depressive anxiety» scale correlated stronger with anxiety (r = 0.808 for personal anxiety and r = 0.616 for reactive) than the «anticipatory anxiety» scale (r = 0.502 for personal anxiety and r = 0.338 for reactive). This can be explained by the fact that oppressive anxiety, as already mentioned, is a physical-emotional component of intolerance to uncertainty, appearing in the form of confusion, stress in an uncertain situation, so it has more in common with anxiety than predictive anxiety, which is an individual's cognitive attitude to a situation of uncertainty.

We also found a highly statistically significant correlation (p<0.001) between intolerance of uncertainty and depressive states (r = 0.616). In addition, the correlation was positive, so the variables grew proportionally. Depressive states correlated significantly and more strongly with oppressive anxiety (r = 0.727) than those with prognostic anxiety (r = 0.391). This is also explained by the physical-emotional nature of the «oppressive anxiety» component. In addition, according to the research of other scientists, intolerance to uncertainty leads to the development of various psychopathologies, probably depressive ones.

We should also note correlations between depressive states and anxiety (Table 3).

Table 3

Both personal (r = 0.765) and reactive anxiety (r = 0.804) had strong, statistically significant positive correlations with depressive states (p<0.001). Therefore, these states increased or decreased proportionally to anxiety. Depression often occurs in a long-term stressful situation, as a result of which the human body is exhausted. In this case, the evolutionarily older brain is turned on with the primary task to survive. In this rhythm of life, the human body is constantly in anticipation of a threat, which in turn provokes an increase of anxiety. Therefore, a correlation between anxiety and depressive states is absolutely obvious.

In general, all the variables of our study correlated statistically significantly with each other confirming the correctness of our conceptual research model developed by as after review of scientific literature and available modern studies on this issue.

Regarding the comparison of civilian and military youth groups, we found out with the help of the Student's t-test and the Mann-Whitney U-test that military personnel had higher stress resistance, less manifestations of anxiety, depressive states and better tolerance to uncertainty. This is probably related to the specifics of their activities, and in addition, before hiring, they went through a selection process with certain criteria that a candidate for the service must meet. Also, the military personnel can be better informed about the war course, and therefore have a clearer picture of the likely future that awaits them. In addition, military activities also require decision-making in uncertain situations, which is probably why military personnel's tolerance for uncertainty was higher.

At the next stage of our research, we developed a regression model. Our model had the following features:

* the calculated model was adequate, since the coefficient of multiple correlation was 0.712, and the coefficient of multiple determination was 0.507, so the variation of the independent variables explained 50% of the dependent variable variation;

* the adjusted coefficient of multiple determination was 0.478, i.e. the forecast is qualitative by 48%;

* the statistical significance of the calculated model was sufficient, since p < 0.05, and there were no systematic relationships between the residuals of neighbouring cases according to the Durbin-Watson coefficient (coefficient = 1.91);

* VIF indicator was less than 5, so multicollinearity was absent;

* the stable influence of the constant (whish was significant - p<0.001) indicated the model quality

The obtained results can be explained by the fact that a situation of uncertainty and stress exist in the current conditions of a long-term war. It is a factor that leads to appearance of depressive states and anxiety; their growth, in turn, leads to increased intolerance to uncertainty. The growth of all these factors together leads to worsened stress resistance of people. At the same time, our study involved young people who, according to their social situation, were going through the process of becoming, finding their place in life - graduating, finding a job, starting a family. The period of youth is full of ups and downs, which requires stress resistance, but the war can only increase anxiety and other negative states, which already have a greater manifestation in this period of life.

Based on the obtained results, we formulated the following recommendations for psychologists who work with young people during the full-scale war:

1. First of all, it is recommended to eat well, healthy and vitamin-enriched foods. Because thanks to the correct diet, a person harmonizes various neurotransmitters in his/her body. Their excess or lack affects an individual's emotional state and appearance of negative experiences. Stress resistance increases with decreased anxiety and depressive states.

2. As for provided basic needs, it is worth emphasizing the importance of observing the sleeping regime and physical activities for one's life. Sleep, alternating the functional states of the brain, restores an individual's mental and physical strength. Physical exercises switch attention, concentrate, calm because a person is focused on his/her body, sensations, and bodily sensations calm the nervous system; sport activities also supports muscle tone and contributes to energy enrichment.

3. Performance of stabilization techniques, for example, meditative practices, deep breathing techniques, relieving muscle tension, increasing the feeling of peace. It is important for a person to feel inner harmony and balance, thus enhancing his/her ability to self-regulate. For example, a simple technique of diaphragmatic breathing can be offered. To do this, to put your hands on the chest and stomach, to feel that the stomach inflates during inhalation. During an inhaling phase a person should count of one to four, then hold his/her breath for 3-4 seconds, then he/she should exhale for 3-4 seconds and hold his/her breath again. This exercise must be performed several times until the tension decreases.

4. The tapping technique also help people to reduce anxiety in a stressful or post-stressful situation. This technique consists in tapping certain points of the body. Tapping should be rhythmical, simultaneous with two hands. First, tap the middle of the head with the fingertips for a few seconds; further along the area above the eyebrows; on the temples; under the eyes; under the nose; in the middle of the chin; along the entire length of the clavicles; under each armpit in turn; on «karate zone» - the middle of the lateral part of the palm; the last zone is the fingertips, first of one hand and then of the other. This technique must be repeated at least three times.

5. Personal developmental trainings can also be offered. The desire for selfimprovement also somewhat reduces the manifestations of negative states, motivates a person, fills him/her with energy. A person has a goal and, striving for it, is filled with energy and enthusiasm, the desire to overcome obstacles on the way, which contributes to stress resistance development.

6. The balance of work and rest is also important. Continuous work without days off should not be allowed, as this is a direct path to burnout and, as a result, a decreased capability to withstand stress. It is necessary to help a person to balance his/her schedule. For this, time management techniques can be used.

7. Quality planning of time for rest also plays a role in maintaining stress resistance, since emotional relief is an effective way to fight stress and fatigue. Filling free time with bright emotions is a good preventive measure against chronic fatigue.

8. It is important to determine a client's internal resources that help the person to reduce his/her personal anxiety and also prevent the growth of reactive anxiety, that is, anxiety in certain life situations.

Discussion. According to reviewed studies, there is close relations between intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety. In addition to anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty is related with phobias, the development of PTSD, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. According to many English-language studies, intolerance to uncertainty also is linked strongly with depressive states and is one of the factors that complicate the treatment of depression. The existence of such correlations between the mentioned constructs was also confirmed in our research. Namely, we have determined the following:

* The correlation between stress resilience and personality anxiety is stronger, indicating that stress resilience is a trait that operates more during the long run.

* Negative states and intolerance of uncertainty were positively correlated.

* The correlation between anxiety and depressive states was stronger for oppressive anxiety, which is the physical-emotional component of intolerance to uncertainty.

Also, our study demonstrated that military youth had higher stress resistance and, accordingly, lower indicators of negative states. Such results are correlated with the research of N. Burban and I. Huzenko that military personnel compared to civilians had stronger stress resistance, better adaptability to stress, which ensured their effective social and professional functioning under stressful conditions, with minimal expenses of individual and psychophysiological resources and with preservation of mental and somatic health (Burban, Huzenko, 2019). Also, military personnel, characterized by highly developed stress resistance, restored volitional regulation quickly, as was shown by the research of S. Vadziuk and V. Sas (Vadziuk, Sas, 2023).

Conclusions

Stress means specific body reactions to stimuli, both positive and negative. As part of our research, stress resistance was defined as a specific personal characteristic to resist negative impacts of external stress factors, which allows people to protect the psyche from destruction. The period of youth is characterized by the dynamism of life events, the moment of finding one's place in life, which requires stress resistance from an individual. Intolerance of uncertainty is the personality trait of perceiving uncertainty as undesirable and reacting to it as a threat. Anxiety is a depressing state of emotional tension, excitement, vigilance, certain discomfort in the soul, heightened sense of guilt, increased vulnerability to complications in life circumstances, underestimation of oneself in situations of uncertainty, expectation or premonition of an incomprehensible threat to the personality balance.

Negative correlations of stress resistance with anxiety, depressive states and intolerance of uncertainty were found in our study. We should emphasize that the correlation of stress resistance with personality anxiety was stronger than that with reactivity, which suggests that stress resistance is a trait that acts more in the long term. Negative states and intolerance of uncertainty correlated positively. Interestingly, the correlation between anxiety and depression was stronger for oppressing anxiety, which is the somatic-emotional component of uncertainty intolerance. That is, in the conditions of war, a situation of uncertainty and stress is created. It is a factor that affects depressive states and anxiety, the growth of which leads to increased intolerance to uncertainty. The growth of all these factors together leads to a decreased stress resistance of an individual.

A comparison of military and civilian groups allowed us to assert that military personnel had higher stress resistance, better tolerance to uncertainty and less manifestations of negative states. This was probably related to the specifics of their activities, readiness to perform military service. Also, the military personnel could be more informed about the war progress, had analytic skills and predicted more accurately the future, which reduced their anxiety. In addition, the military activities also require decision-making in uncertain situations, which was why military personnel's tolerance for uncertainty was higher.

The regression model calculated by us allowed us to claim that such variables as: intolerance to uncertainty, anxiety and depressive states partially explained stress resistance as a dependent variable.

Prospects for further research. We see the prospects for further studies on stress resistance in the searches for those components that explain another 50% of the variation of stress resistance in order to have a holistic picture of what affects an individual's stress resistance. Such knowledge will allow us to more effectively develop this quality in young people.

Declaration on conflict of interest. The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest regarding the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

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