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Osodlo V., Perepeliuk T., Osadchenko I., Yurevych Y. Comprehensive psychological interventions for reducing the consequences of combat stress in military personnel

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Vasyl Osodlo - doctor of psychological sciences, professor of the department of psychology, State University of Trade and Economics. Kyiv, (Ukraine)

ORCID 0000-0003-2893-4721

 

Tetiana Perepeliuk – Ph.D. in psychology, professor of the department of practical psychology, Mariupol State University. Kyiv, (Ukraine)

ORCID 0000-0001-6313-2279

 

Inna Osadchenko - doctor of pedagogical sciences, professor of the department of social work and rehabilitation of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of the Ukraine. Kyiv, (Ukraine)

ORCID 0000-0003-0682-5145

 

Yuriy Yurevych - senior lieutenant of medical forces, coordinator of the evacuation department, medical company of the VC A4784 of the Armed Forces of the Ukrainian

ORCID 0009-0003-0710-3045

 

DOI - https://doi.org/10.52363/dcpp-2026.1.4

 

Keywords: combat stress, military personnel, hyperarousal, psychological rehabilitation, psychological support, resilience, psychological interventions, psychoeducation, extreme conditions, resilience.

 

This article presents findings from a study on the impact of systemic psychological interventions on combat stress in military personnel. The combination of peer-led support, psychoeducation, and professional access reduces hyperactivation, improves self-regulation, and gradually restores motivation.

The prolonged exposure of military personnel to combat conditions creates a high risk of chronic stress reactions, including symptoms of post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depressive manifestations, and deterioration of social functioning. The present study aimed to examine the psychological consequences of combat stress in active-duty military personnel and to develop a comprehensive model of psychological rehabilitation adapted to the realities of military service.

The research was conducted on a sample of Ukrainian military personnel using standardized psychometric instruments, including the PTSD Checklist – Military Version (PCL-M), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and a Quality of Lifeassessment. Descriptive

and comparative analyses were applied to identify dominant symptom clusters, vulnerability zones, and preserved personal resources.

The results indicate that the most pronounced manifestations of combat stress are related to hyperarousal, sleep disturbances, hypervigilance, and persistent background tension, reflecting a stable state of physiological and psychological mobilization. Elevated levels of anxiety and moderate depressive symptoms, primarily expressed through anhedonia and emotional distancing, were also observed. The social-emotional domain of quality of life appeared to be the most vulnerable, indicating reduced social engagement and difficulties in returning to civilian interaction patterns. At the same time, high scores in perceived social status and interpersonal significance demonstrate preserved motivational and meaning-related resources, suggesting a specific form of resilience based on responsibility and commitment to service.

Expected outcomes of program implementation include reduction of post-traumatic stress symptoms, stabilization of emotional regulation, improvement of sleep and self-control, restoration of social interaction, and increased readiness to seek psychological support. The integration of peer-led support with professional interventions and organizational micro-practices is considered a critical factor in enhancing psychological endurance and operational reliability.

The findings confirm the effectiveness of a systemic approach to psychological support in military settings and provide a practical foundation for developing standardized rehabilitation programs aimed at maintaining combat readiness and long-term psychological resilience.

 

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Date of initial submission of the article to the journal: 06.04.2026

Date of acceptance of the article after revision: 07.05.2026

Date of acceptance of the article for publication after peer review: 18.05.2026

Date of publication of the article: 31.05.2026

 

Publisher National University of Civil Protection of Ukraine, 2026

This is an Open Access article under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode.en

 

How to cite: Osodlo V., Perepeliuk T., Osadchenko I., Yurevych Y. Comprehensive psychological interventions for reducing the consequences of combat stress in military personnel/ Disaster and Crisis Psychology Problems. 1(11). 2026. P. 36-53. https://doi.org/10.52363/dcpp-2026.1.4

 

Issue 1(11)-2026

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