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Amurova Y., Momot М. Psychological factors in the formation of deferred life syndrome under martial law conditions

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Yana Amurova - Ph.D. in Psychology, Associate Professor of the Department of Psychology of Activity in Special Conditions Educational and Scientific Institute of Operational Rescue Forces. National University of Civil Protection of Ukraine, Cherkasy (Ukraine)

ORCID 0000-0002-3486-1138

 

Мaryna Momot - Senior Lecturer of the Department of Psychology of Activity in Special Conditions Educational and Scientific Institute of Operational Rescue Forces. National University of Civil Protection of Ukraine, Cherkasy (Ukraine)

ORCID 0000-0002-8065-7058

 

DOI - https://doi.org/10.52363/dcpp-2026.1.10

 

Keywords: deferred life syndrome, loss, martial law, adaptation, procrastination, traumatic experience, life perspective, resilience.

The article presents a comprehensive phenomenological analysis of the factors contributing to the formation of deferred life syndrome under conditions of martial law. The essence of deferred life syndrome is revealed as a complex, multifaceted psychological phenomenon that integrates cognitive, emotional, and behavioral components and manifests in the formation of a specific life attitude in which the realization of significant life goals and plans is systematically postponed to the future. It is substantiated that under conditions of social instability, uncertainty about the future, and prolonged stress caused by wartime events, a deformation of the individual’s time perspective occurs, which is expressed in the dominance of the future over the present and the perception of the current life period as temporary. Contemporary scientific approaches to understanding the phenomenon of deferred life syndrome are analyzed, and the main psychological factors of its formation are identified, including characteristics of the motivational sphere, the level of resilience, the capacity for self-realization, the experience of traumatic events, as well as the influence of socio-economic and sociocultural conditions. It is established that forced displacement of the population, both within the country and abroad, serves as a significant contextual factor that complicates life planning, contributes to a sense of uncertainty, and leads to the postponement of important life decisions. The study demonstrates that deferred life syndrome under conditions of martial law may perform an ambivalent function: on the one hand, it acts as a psychological mechanism of adaptation to crisis circumstances by reducing anxiety through the postponement of active behavior; on the other hand, it hinders full self-realization, contributing to frustration, internal conflict, and dissatisfaction with present life. Particular attention is paid to the role of life perspective in the formation of this phenomenon, as well as to the impact of social transformations on individual life strategies. It is emphasized that overcoming the manifestations of deferred life syndrome is associated with the activation of personal resources, the development of resilience, responsibility for one’s own life, and the ability for conscious construction of the future. The obtained results have theoretical significance for the development of crisis psychology and may be applied in psychological support practices for individuals experiencing difficult life circumstances under conditions of martial law.

 

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Date of initial submission of the article to the journal: 15.04.2026
Date of acceptance 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: Amurova Y., Momot М. Psychological factors in the formation of deferred life syndrome under martial law conditions. Disaster and Crisis Psychology Problems. 1(11). 2026. P. 122-123. https://doi.org/10.52363/dcpp-2026.1.10

 

Issue 1(11)-2026

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