The Bulletin of National Defence University of Ukraine

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  • Vol. 21, No. 3, 2026

  • Psychological mechanisms underlying the therapeutic impact of support groups on individuals in difficult life circumstances

  • Received 24.01.2026,
  • Revised 16.05.2026,
  • Accepted 12.06.2026
  • Published 24.06.2026
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Vol. 21, No. 3, 2026
  • therapeutic factors of group interaction; psychological recovery; group facilitator; military crisis; subjective effectiveness
  • https://doi.org/10.33099/2617-6858-26-21-3-52-63
  • Pages 52-63

The relevance of the study is conditioned by the rapid growth of the need for psychological assistance in the context of prolonged armed aggression and social crisis in Ukraine, where support groups become particularly important as an accessible and scalable form of psychological work with people in difficult life circumstances. The purpose of the study was to empirically investigate the psychological mechanisms of therapeutic influence of support groups on people in difficult life circumstances, and to determine the therapeutic resources of group interaction. The study was conducted using an online questionnaire. The sample consisted of 158 respondents: 71 facilitators and 87 participants of support groups of various thematic areas, selected according to the criterion of having direct experience of participating or leading the group. The author’s questionnaire included an assessment of therapeutic mechanisms on a five-point Likert scale, closed multiple choice questions, and two open-ended questions. The results showed a high significance of all nine mechanisms (average scores from 3.99 to 4.41). The highest ratings were given to mechanisms for fostering safety and trust, providing emotional support, and helping people come to terms with their experiences. Statistically significant differences were found between the scores of facilitators and participants: facilitators rated the mechanism of experience universalisation higher, while participants attached more importance to the influence of group norms and values. Factor analysis confirmed the univariate structure of the scale (48.6% of the total variance; internal consistency coefficient – 0.867), which indicates the functioning of the selected mechanisms as a single integrated system. Among the participants, 91.4% noted the positive impact of the group on their lives; empathic listening (83.1%), group reflection (70.4%), and a structured circle of experience exchange (62.0%) were recognised as the most effective techniques. The main obstacle was irregular attendance (76.1%), and professional problems included burnout of facilitators (18.3%) and insufficient supervision support (16.9%). The practical significance of the study lies in the use of the obtained data to improve the methodological support of support groups, training facilitators, supervision support for leading groups, and adaptation of group work to wartime conditions

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