Typology of individual values of combatants of the War in Eastern Ukraine

Olexander Kolesnichenko^{1,* ✉}, Ihor Prykhodko², Yanina Matsehora², Anastasiia Bolshakova³, Olena Bilyk⁴, Natalia Storozhuk⁵, Kateryna Lazor⁶, Kateryna Trybulkevych⁷

1 - Research Laboratory, National Academy of National Guard of Ukraine, Kharkiv, Ukraine
2 - Research Center, National Academy of National Guard of Ukraine, Kharkiv, Ukraine
3 - Psychology and Pedagogy Department, Kharkiv State Academy of Culture, Kharkiv, Ukraine
4 - Department of Arts and Literature at the Kharkiv State Academy of Culture, Kharkiv, Ukraine
5 - Psychology and Pedagogy Department of Military Institute of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
6 - Department of Psychology of the National University "Odessa Law Academy", Odesa, Ukraine
7 - Professional Psychology and Pedagogy Department, National Academy of Security Service of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine

Correspondence: Olexander Kolesnichenko

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1959882

Received: June 23, 2021

Accepted: November 28, 2021

Abstract:

The individual values of combatants determine life goals, how to achieve them, and perform an important adaptive and protective function under conditions of combat stress. Understanding them enables mental health professionals to create an effective system of Combat and Operational Stress Control for military personnel. The purpose of this research was to determine the personal value sphere typology of individual values of combatants of the War in Eastern Ukraine, and, on its basis, to predict the vector of PTSD development. The value sphere (Rokeach Value Scale) and peculiarities of mental status (“Traumatic Stress Questionnaire”) of nine hundred forty three Ukrainian combatants were investigated. Cluster analysis made it possible to create a typology of combatants’ values, consisting of five types: “Passionary”, “The one who does not leave the comfort zone”, “Romantic”, “Formal military man”, “Routine”. The most resistant to combat stress are combatants who are aimed at interiorizing values, expanding the boundaries of existing norms, and public recognition (“Passionary” (2.19%), “Romantic” (3.82%)), and the most vulnerable are those who are “Routine” (15.30%) and “Formal military man” (4.37%). The majority of Ukrainian combatants have a defined type of “The one who does not leave the comfort zone” type (74.32%). For them, safety and well-to-do life are the main priorities.