GENDER-RELATED FEATURES OF STRESS RESISTANCE OF ADULT PERSONALITY IN RETRACTIONS PERIODS

Abstract

The article examines the phenomenon of individual stress resilience under the specific conditions of the prolonged martial law in Ukraine, which are characterized by sustained military and socio-economic uncertainty. The relevance of the study is determined by the need for a deeper understanding of how gender affiliation and related sociocultural attitudes shape personal adaptive resources in crisis situations. Uncertainty is conceptualized as a fundamental stressor that requires specific coping mechanisms, which differ substantially between men and women The empirical research was conducted in winter 2025 among higher education students (n = 72, aged 18–43). Data were collected using a set of diagnostic tools, including a questionnaire aimed at identifying sources of stress, the Stress Behavior Type Diagnostic Test, the Holmes and Rahe method for assessing social adaptability, and mathematical statistics (Fisher’s criterion). The findings indicate that the structure of stress-inducing factors demonstrates pronounced gender specificity: men are most vulnerable to financial and occupational instability, whereas for women the critical factor is everyday uncertainty and infrastructural constraints. The analysis of stress response types revealed no statistically significant differences in behavioral strategies (moderate and high levels predominated in both genders); however, substantial differences were found in overall stress resilience and social adaptability. It was established that men demonstrate higher general adaptability, which is closely associated with cognitive beliefs regarding their ability to control the situation. Women exhibit greater variability in resilience levels: 24 % of female respondents show low stress resilience, which can be explained by the more intense impact of accumulated life stress and heightened emotional involvement in issues related to the safety of close relatives. It is demonstrated that under conditions of prolonged uncertainty, the most adaptive profile is the androgynous personality type, which combines rational coping strategies with a well-developed network of social support. The obtained results highlight the importance of a gender-differentiated approach in designing psychological support programs and resilience training for different population groups in Ukraine.