War-induced stress and resources of socio-psychological resilience: A review of theoretical conceptualizations

VIKTOR STEPANENKO, Doctor of Sciences in Sociology, Chief Research Fellow at the Department of History and Theory of Sociology, Institute of Sociology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (12, Shovkovychna St., Kyiv, 01021)

vikstepa@gmail.com

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3623-0057

OLENA ZLOBINA, Doctor of Sciences in Sociology, Head of the Department of Social Psychology, Institute of Sociology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (12, Shovkovychna St., Kyiv, 01021)

ezlobina@ukr.net

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2593-788X

YEVHEN GOLOVAKHA, Doctor of Sciences in Philosophy, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Director of the Institute of Sociology, NAS of Ukraine (12, Shovkovychna St., Kyiv, 01021) golos100@gmail.com

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2961-1262

SERHII DEMBITSKYI, Doctor of Sciences in Sociology, Deputy Director, Institute of Sociology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (12, Shovkovychna St., Kyiv, 01021)

sociotest.solution@gmail.com

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7958-3557

LUBOV NAIDIONOVA Doctor of Sciences in Psychology, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine, Deputy Director, Leading Research Fellow at the Laboratory of Psychology of Mass Communication and Media Education, at the Institute of Social and Political Psychology, NAES of Ukraine (15, Andrijivska St., Kyiv. 04070); Professor of the Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences (1, Stefana Jarasza, Warsaw, 00-378)

mediasicolo@gmail.com

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1222-295X

The article presents a review, analysis, and an attempt of methodological adaptation of relevant social and psychological research to the problems and realities of stressful situations of the Russian-Ukrainian war. In particular, it is about the role and functions of mediative resources in overcoming and buffering stressful situations caused by war, adaptation and formation of social psychological resilience. The specificity of stressful situation during the war is analyzed. It is noted that war is an emergency situation and a traumatic event, which is not aimed at individuals, but at the population as a whole. In such conditions, the population experiences continuous traumatic stress (CTS). Within the framework of the sociological approach to the study of stress and resources to overcome it, the Stress Process Model elaborated by L. Pearlin is characterized. The main theoretical conceptualizations of the resource approach to stress by S. Hobfoll are outlined and analyzed, in particular key resource theories, integrated resource models and the conservation of resources theory (COR). Resource mechanisms and mediating function of resources in adaptation and coping with stress are studied. In the sociological perspective of further studies of the stressful conditions of the Russian-Ukrainian war, the special role of social relations as a psychological resource and social capital that contribute to stress buffering is noted. The authors conclude that in the perspective of a long war and its consequences, the important tasks of society and of the state are to preserve and increase the resources of internal cohesion, solidarity and resilience, along with the support of various forms of self-organization of national resistance.

Keywords: stress, stressful conditions, war, stress process model, mediating functions of resources, stress buffering, social relations

References

Aneshensel, C.S. & Mitchell, U.A. (2014). The stress process: Its origins, evolution, and future. In: R.J. Johnson, R.J. Turner, & B.G. Link (Eds.), Sociology of mental health: Selected topics from forty years, 1970s-2010s (pp. 53-74). Springer Science + Business Media. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-07797-0_3

Antonucci, T.C., Fiori, K.L., Birditt, K., & Jackey, L.H. (2010). Convoys of social relations: Integrating life-span and life-course perspectives. In: M.E. Lamb, A.M. Freund, & R.M. Lerner (Eds.), The handbook of lifespan development, Vol. 2: Social and emotional development (pp. 434-73). John Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470880166.hlsd002012

Aspinwall, L.G. & Taylor, S.E. (1997). A stitch in time: Self regulation and proactive coping. Psychological Bulletin, 121, 417-436. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.121.3.417

Assonov, D., Haustova, O. (2019). The development of the concept of resilience in scientific literature during recent period. [In Ukrainian]. Psychosomatic medicine and general practice, 4(4), e0404219. https://doi.org/10.26766/pmgp.v4i1.192

Bandura, A. (1997). Self efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: Freeman.

Blinova, O., Kazibekova, V. (Eds.). (2021). Psychological resources in conditions of life and social crisis: social and personal dimensions. [In Ukrainian]. Kherson: FOP Vyshemyrskyi.

Bryant, R.A., Harvey, A.G., Guthrie, R.M., & Moulds, M.L. (2003). Acute psychophysiological arousal and posttraumatic stress disorder: A two-year prospective study. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 16(5), 439-443. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025750209553

Can patriotism be a protective factor for symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder? The case of the Russia - Ukraine 2022 war. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 155, 100-103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.08.016

Caplan, G. (1964). Principles of preventative psychiatry. New York: Basic Books.

Caplan, G. (1974). Support systems and community mental health. New York: Behavioral Publications.

Carver, C.S. & Scheier, M.F. (1998). On the self-regulation of behavior. New York: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139174794

Cherepovska, N., Didyk, N. (2020). Media-psychological resources for overcoming war trauma: a practical guide. NAPD: Institute of Social and Political Psychology. [In Ukrainian]. Kropyvnytskyi: Imeks-LTD.

Cheung-Blunden, V. & Blunden, B. (2008). The emotional construal of war: Anger, fear, and other negative emotions. Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 14(2), 123-150. https://doi.org/10.1080/10781910802017289

Cozzarelli, C. (1993). Personality and self-efficacy as predictors of coping with abortion. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 65, 124-126. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.65.6.1224

de Jong, J.T. (2002). Public mental health, traumatic stress and human rights violations in low-income countries: A culturally appropriate model in times of conflict, disaster and peace. In: J. de Jong (Ed.), Trauma, war, and violence: Public mental health in socio-cultural context (pp. 1-91). Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.

Diamond, G.M., Lipsitz, J.D., Fajerman, Z., & Rozenblat, O. (2010). Ongoing traumatic stress response (OTSR) in Sderot, Israel. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 41(1), 19-25. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017098

Eagle, G. & Kaminer, D. (2013). Continuous traumatic stress: Expanding the lexicon of traumatic stress. Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 19(2), 85-99. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032485

Gartner, R. & Kennedy, L. (2018). War and postwar violence. Crime and Justice, 47(1). https://doi.org/10.1086/696649

Gelkopf, M., Berger, R., Bleich, A., & Silver, R.C. (2012). Protective factors and predictors of vulnerability to chronic stress: a comparative study of 4 communities after 7 years of continuous rocket fire. Social Science & Medicine, 74(5), 757-66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.10.022

Grinker, R.R. & Spiegel, J.P. (1945). Men under stress. Philadelphia: McGraw-Hill. https://doi.org/10.1037/10784-000

Ha, J.H., Jue, J. (2022). The Mediating Effect of Group Cohesion Modulated by Resilience in the Relationship between Perceived Stress and Military Life Adjustment. Sustainability, 14, 7794. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14137794

Hamama-Raz,Y., Goodwin, R., Leshem, E., & Ben-Ezra, M. (2022). Can patriotism be a protective factor for symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder? The case of the Russia - Ukraine 2022 war. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 155, 100-103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.08.016

Hobfoll, S.E. (2002). Social and Psychological Resources and Adaptation. Review of General Psychology, 6(4), 307-324. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.6.4.307

Hobfoll, S.E., Watson, P., Bell, C.C., et al. (2007). Five essential elements of immediate and mid-term mass trauma intervention: empirical evidence. Psychiatry, 70(4), 283-315. https://doi.org/10.1521/psyc.2007.70.4.283

Houck, S. (2022). Psychological capabilities for resilience. War on the Rocks. Texas national security review. https://warontherocks.com/2022/12/psychological-capabilities-for-resilience/

Kalka, N., Blikhar, V., Tsyvinska, M., Kuzo, L., Marchuk, A., & Katolyk, H. (2022). Analysis of Peculiarities and Components of Resiliency of People Facing Military Aggression against Ukraine. BRAIN. Broad Research in Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience, 13(3), 320-339. https://doi.org/10.18662/brain/13.3/370

Kaniasty, K. & Norris, F. (1995). In search of altruistic community: Patterns of social support mobilization following Hurricane Hugo. American Journal of Community Psychology, 23, 447-477. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02506964

Kaniasty, K. & Norris, F. (1999). The experience of disaster: Individuals and communities sharing trauma. In: R. Gist & B. Lubin, Response to disaster: Psychosocial, ecological, and community approaches (pp. 25-61). Washington, DC: Taylor & Francis.

Kesebir, P., Luszcynska, A., Pyszczynski, T., & Benight, C. (2011). Posttraumatic stress disorder involves disrupted anxiety buffer mechanisms. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 30, 819-841. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2011.30.8.819

Kira, I.A., Shuwiekh, H., Al Ibraheem, B. & Aljakoub, J. (2019). Appraisals and emotion regulation mediate the effects of identity salience and cumulative stressors and traumas, on PTG and mental health: The case of Syrian's IDPs and refugees. Self and Identity, 18(3), 284-305. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298868.2018.1451361

Lahad, M. & Leykin, D. (2010). Ongoing exposure versus intense periodic exposure to military conflict and terror attacks in Israel. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 23(6), 691-698. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.20583

Lai, C. (2013). Sense of Community and Self-Rated Health: Mediating Effect of Social Capital. Sociology Mind, 3, 217-222. https://doi.org/10.4236/sm.2013.33029

Lazarus, R.S. & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer.

Miller, K.E. & Rasco, L.M. (2004). An ecological framework for addressing the mental health needs of refugee communities. In: K.E. Miller & L.M. Rasco (Eds.), The mental health of refugees: Ecological approaches to healing and adaptation (pp. 1-64). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781410610263

Miller, K.E. & Rasmussen, A. (2010).War exposure, daily stressors, and mental health in conflict and post-conflict settings: bridging the divide between trauma-focused and psychosocial frameworks. Social Science & Medicine, 70(1), 7-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2009.09.029

Nickerson, A., Priebe, S., Bryant, R.A., & Morina, N. (2014). Mechanisms of psychological distress following war in the former yugoslavia: The role of interpersonal sensitivity. PLoS ONE, 9(3), e90503. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0090503

Nuttman-Shwartz, O. & Shoval-Zuckerman, Y. (2016). Continuous traumatic situations in the face of ongoing political violence: The relationship between CTS and PTSD. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 17(5), 562-570. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838015585316

Nuttman-Shwartz, O. (2013). Fear, functioning and coping during exposure to a continuous security threat. Journal of Loss and Trauma: International Perspectives on Stress & Coping, 19, 262-277. https://doi.org/10.1080/15325024.2013.763551

Pat-Horenczyk, R. & Schiff, M. (2019). Continuous traumatic stress and the life cycle: Exposure to repeated political violence in Israel. Current Psychiatry Reports, 21(8), 71. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-019-1060-x

Pearlin, L.I., Menaghan, E.G., Lieberman, M.A., & Mullan, J.T. (1981). The stress process. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 22, 337-356. https://doi.org/10.2307/2136676

Pinchuk, I., Hozhenko, A., Psiadlo, E. (2015). Diagnosis and correction of psychophysiological and mental health disorders in the post-stress period. Medical and psychological rehabilitation and social adaptation of combatants: problems and prospects. [In Ukrainian]. Odesa: Feniks.

Prelow, H.M., Mosher, C.E., & Bowman, M.A. (2006). Perceived racial discrimination, social support, and psychological adjustment among African American students. Journal of Black Psychology, 32, 442-454. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095798406292677

Sarason, S.B. (1974). The psychological sense of community: Prospects for a community psychology. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Siu, O.L., Kong, Q. & Ng, T.K. (2021). Psychological Capital and Family Satisfaction among Employees: Do Occupational Stressors Moderate the Relationship? International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(22), 12260. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212260

Skinner, E.A. (1996). A guide to the construct of control. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 71, 549-570. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.71.3.549

Sliusarevskyi, M., Chukhinina, C., Naidionova, L. (2022). Psychology of the Russian-Ukrainian war: an internal view: Materials of the All-Ukrainian Round Table (April 7, 2022). [In Ukrainian]. Kyiv: Talkom.

Soroka, O., Kalaur, S. (2019). The approach of resilience to rehabilitation of socially maladjusted teenagers. [In Ukrainian]. Social Work and Education, 6 (1), 61-69. https://doi.org/10.25128/2520-6230.19.1.6

Summerﬁeld, D. (1999). A critique of seven assumptions behind psychological trauma programmes inwar-affected areas. Social Science & Medicine, 48, 1449-1462. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-9536(98)00450-X

Thoits, P.A. (2011). Mechanisms linking social ties and support to physical and mental health. Journal of health and social behavior, 52(2), 145-161. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022146510395592

Timmer, A., Antonaccio, O., Botchkovar, E.V., Johnson, R.J., & Hughes L.A , (2023). Violent Conflict in Contemporary Europe: Specifying the Relationship Between War Exposure and Interpersonal Violence in a War-Weary Country. The British Journal of Criminology, 63(1), 18-39. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azac002

Tytarenko, T. (2018). Psychological health of the individual: means of self-help in conditions of long-term traumatization. NAPD: Institute of Social and Political Psychology. [In Ukrainian]. Kropyvnytskyi: Imeks-LTD.

Yu, C.-Y., Joh, K., Woo, A. (2022). Effects of Multifaceted Determinants on Individual Stress: The Mediating Role of Social Capital. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19, 5571. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095571

Received 17.10.2023