SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL PREDICTORS OF PTSD IN YOUTH IN WAR CONDITIONS

Abstract

The article analyses such sociopsychological predictors of PTSD as fear of war, social support, resilience (stress tolerance), and media exposure to war. It was found that fear of war is the primary source of social tension, changes behavioural patterns, and causes a physical sense of danger. It was found that strategies for coping with stress depend on both personal and external factors. Furthermore, it has been proven that for young people in front-line zones, traumatic events cause intense emotional experiences due to psychological and social immaturity. Social isolation, constant environmental stress, and forced displacement complicate the situation. At the same time, support from family, loved ones, and an educational institution can mitigate the effects of stress, contributing to the development of life skills and stress tolerance. It has been studied that even in regions remote from war, anxiety levels can remain high due to individual characteristics, such as a hereditary predisposition to depression or media exposure to war. It is especially true for young people, who are more sensitive to the impact of traumatic events and harmful information content.