Bulletin of National Defence University of Ukraine

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  • Volume 21, No. 4, 2026

  • Features of maladaptation and resilience manifestations in response to combat psychological trauma among mobilised service members after participation in hostilities

  • Received 06.04.2026,
  • Revised 22.07.2026,
  • Accepted 25.08.2026
  • Published 31.08.2026
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Volume 21, No. 4, 2026
  • extreme conditions; post-traumatic stress disorder; emotional regulation; negative mental states; suicidal risk
  • https://doi.org/10.33099/2617-6858-26-21-4-31-41
  • Pages 31-41

The prolonged Russian-Ukrainian war highlighted the need to understand the psychological impact of intense combat experiences on mobilised service personnel, and to identify the factors that contribute to successful post-combat adaptation. This study aimed to determine the specific manifestations of maladaptation and resilience among mobilised service members after participating in intense combat. A psychodiagnostic assessment was conducted using the combat experience intensity scale, the post-traumatic stress disorder differentiation questionnaire, the methodology for assessing negative mental reactions and states in service members, the maladaptation scale and the combat psychological trauma resilience scale. These methods enabled combat experience intensity, post-traumatic stress symptoms, negative mental states, maladaptation and resilience to be assessed, and demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.84-0.91). Cluster analysis revealed two distinct psychological profiles. The first group was characterised by high maladaptation and low resilience (n = 148; M = 19.76, standard deviation (SD) = 5.95; M = 124.33, SD = 19.77, respectively). The second group was characterised by lower maladaptation and higher resilience (n = 102; M = 9.75, SD = 4.76; M = 138.72, SD = 25.87). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (t = 4.74, p < 0.001). Service members in the first group demonstrated significantly greater difficulties with behavioural regulation, suicidal risk, cognitive dysfunction and negative emotional states. Conversely, resilience components were negatively correlated with maladaptive manifestations. The findings highlight the importance of a tailored approach to psychological rehabilitation, considering resilience levels, combat experience and psychological state when determining the scope and content of interventions. The results of the study can be used to identify risk groups early on, provide personalised psychological support and develop targeted rehabilitation and psychological recovery programmes in military rehabilitation centres and psychological support services within Ukraine’s security and defence sector

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