PSYCHOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS AND STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTING EMOTIONAL BURNOUT AMONG VOLUNTEERS UNDER MARTIAL LAW

Abstract

This article presents a comprehensive theoretical and empirical analysis of the psychological determinants and dynamic characteristics of the development of emotional burnout syndrome among volunteers under martial law. The relevance of the study stems from the transformation of the volunteer movement into a strategic instrument of national resilience, which requires the preservation of activists’ mental health as a key human resource in the humanitarian sector. The theoretical and methodological foundation of the study is the classic three-component model by K. Maslach, which encompasses emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a reduction in personal accomplishment, as well as V. Boiko’s concept, according to which burnout is viewed as a specific psychological defense mechanism in the form of complete or partial emotional detachment. Statistical analysis of the data using the Mann-Whitney U-test confirmed the high significance of differences (p ≤ 0.01) in symptom severity depending on the duration of volunteer work. The phenomenon of anxiety was analyzed separately, revealing that despite the overall personality stability of the sample, a high level of situational anxiety correlates with the premature onset of mental fatigue in the middle of the workday (p < 0.001). The result of this work was the development and scientific justification of the “Optimized Algorithm for the Psychological Support of Volunteers,” which is based on the principles of prevention and a systematic approach The implementation of such a comprehensive system not only mitigates manifestations of burnout but also promotes post-traumatic personal growth, ensuring the resilience of the entire humanitarian aid system in Ukraine.