FEATURES OF EXPERIENCING TRAUMATIC EVENTS AND POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH IN STUDENTS: RESULTS OF EMPIRICAL RESEARCH

Abstract

This article examines the psychological consequences of war-related trauma among Ukrainian students, focusing on both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and post-traumatic growth (PTG). Drawing upon three waves of empirical research conducted over the course of the first three years of the full-scale war in Ukraine, the study explores dynamic changes in students' trauma responses and adaptive capacities over time.
The research involved quantitative methods and the application of validated diagnostic tools, including a primary PTSD screening, a self-assessment PTSD scale (PCL-C), and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. The total sample included 395 participants across three stages: 206 in the first, 121 in the second, and 68 in the third. Statistical analysis revealed a significant decrease in PTSD symptoms between the first and second stages, indicating a possible desensitization or adaptation process.
In terms of PTG, the findings demonstrate a non-linear trajectory. While the initial response showed an increase in growth indicators, a notable decline was observed at the second stage, followed by renewed growth in specific dimensions–particularly in personal strength–by the third year. At the same time, certain domains, such as spiritual changes and value reorientation, exhibited a decline, possibly reflecting emotional fatigue or shifts in meaning-making mechanisms.
These results highlight the complexity of trauma adaptation in youth and suggest that PTG is a multi-phase, dynamic process influenced by personal and contextual factors. The study emphasizes the importance of longitudinal approaches in trauma research and the need for tailored psychological support strategies aimed at fostering resilience and personal growth in young populations affected by war.