COPING STRATEGIES IN CONDITIONS OF CONTINUOUS TRAUMATIC STRESS: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF ARMED CONFLICT.

OBJECTIVE

The study investigates coping mechanisms and the severity of continuous traumatic stress (CTS) factors among individuals with different types of exposure in the context of armed conflict.

METHOD: The study included 201 participants, divided into two primary groups: Group 1 (direct exposure, n=100), which included Subgroup 1.1 (n=70; continuously residing in the conflict zone) and Subgroup 1.2 (n=30; temporarily left the conflict zone), and Group 2 (indirect exposure, n=101). Data were collected using the Method for the Determination of Individual Coping Strategies (MDICS) by E. Heim and a biographical questionnaire.

RESULTS

Subgroup 1.1 primarily relied on stabilizing and restraint strategies and demonstrated associations with all three CTS factors-fear and helplessness, rage and betrayal, and exhaustion and detachment. Subgroup 1.2 exhibited dominant emotional reactions, including rage and detachment, along with avoidant behavior. Participants in Group 2 more often demonstrated fear and helplessness while maintaining a relatively adaptive coping profile.

CONCLUSION

The results reveal significant differences in coping responses and CTS factors depending on the type of exposure, confirming the influence of traumatic context on coping mechanisms.