COPING STRATEGIES IN ADULTHOOD DURING MILITARY CONFLICTS: SPECIFIC FEATURES

Abstract

This article examines the issue of coping strategy utilization in adulthood within the context of military conflicts. It reviews scholarly approaches, both international and domestic, to the conceptualization of the notion of “coping strategies” and to the interpretation of their typology. The study elucidates the essence of coping strategies as a protective mechanism of personality functioning under conditions of military threat. Coping strategies are conceptualized as a protective mechanism integrating cognitive, emotional, and social resources aimed at maintaining psychological resilience. It is established that coping strategies enable individuals to regulate emotional states, make informed decisions, plan actions, mobilize social support, and mitigate the impact of stressors. The findings indicate that a deliberate and active selection of coping strategies facilitates the maintenance of adaptive behavior, prevents the development of maladaptive responses, and preserves the integrity of the self-concept. This, in turn, ensures effective self-regulation and psychological equilibrium even under critical conditions. It is substantiated that problemfocused coping strategies promote active modification of stressful situations, strategic planning, and assumption of responsibility for outcomes. In contrast, emotion-focused coping strategies contribute to the regulation of internal states, reduction of anxiety, and maintenance of psycho-emotional balance. Furthermore, the utilization of social support is shown to enhance interpersonal interaction resources and foster stress coping through cooperation and trust. Strategies such as distancing and avoidance are found to temporarily decrease the intensity of stress experiences and facilitate cognitive reassessment of threatening situations. The integrated application of coping strategies constitutes an adaptive protective system of the individual in the context of military threats, enhances psychological resilience, and increases the effectiveness of behavior in critical situations. The effectiveness of various coping strategies (problemsolving planning, seeking social support, acceptance of responsibility, positive reappraisal, self-control, avoidance, escape-avoidance, and confrontational coping) is analyzed. The dominant patterns of coping behavior are identified as active and passive-defensive