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Seliukova T. Regulatory mechanisms of cognitive and behavioral adaptation of rescuers in professional situations with a high degree of uncertainty

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Tetiana Seliukova - Lecturer of the Department, Kharkiv National Medical University, Kharkiv (Ukraine)

ORCID 0000-0001-9038-2775

 

DOI - https://doi.org/10.52363/dcpp-2026.1.6

 

Keywords: rescuers, tolerance for uncertainty, coping behavior, adaptation strategies, decision-making, readiness for change, SES of Ukraine.

 

The study analyzes the psychological mechanisms underlying the professional activities of rescuers under conditions of information deficit and high risk. The aim is to identify differences in adaptation strategies and decision-making among specialists with varying levels of tolerance for uncertainty.

The research was conducted using the following instruments: Budner’s Scale of Tolerance-Intolerance of Ambiguity (MSTAT), Lazarus’s Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ), Endler and Parker’s Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS), the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire (MDMQ), and Hall’s Personal Readiness for Change Survey (PCRS).

The findings indicate that respondents tolerant of uncertainty predomin+antly employ constructive coping strategies, such as planful problem-solving, self-control, and accepting responsibility. These specialists demonstrate a rational decision-making style, the ability to logically structure situations, and a high readiness for change. Their adaptation is characterized by resourcefulness and emotional stability, ensuring professional productivity even in the absence of comprehensive data.

In contrast, intolerant specialists show a tendency toward destructive coping, primarily avoidance and emotion-oriented reactions. They are characterized by irrational decisions driven by hypervigilance and anxiety. Low readiness for change leads to organizational disarray when

clear algorithms are lacking. It is proven that tolerance for uncertainty acts as a fundamental regulatory mechanism that shifts a specialist’s activity from emotional self-defense to the constructive resolution of complex professional tasks.

Based on the data obtained, it is concluded that a differentiated approach to the psychological training of rescuers is necessary. The results have practical implications for developing professional stress-resistance programs, training in cognitive information structuring, and overcoming destructive avoidance patterns within the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU).

 

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Date of initial submission of the article to the journal: 16.04.2026

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:

Seliukova T. Regulatory mechanisms of cognitive and behavioral adaptation of rescuers in professional situations with a high degree of uncertainty. Disaster and Crisis Psychology Problems. 1(11). 2026. P. 68-85. https://doi.org/10.52363/dcpp-2026.1.6

 

Issue 1(11)-2026

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