THE PROCESS OF ADAPTING SEVERELY INJURED SOLDIERS TO CIVILIAN LIFE

Abstract

The article examines the specifics of the social and psychological adaptation of servicemen who participated in combat operations and severely wounded military personnel upon their return to civilian life. It is noted that this population requires a special approach due to changes in their psyche and the difficulties they face. They may feel misunderstood by society and family, experience challenges in social interaction, and in resolving civil matters. Returning servicemen require comprehensive psychological assistance and psychotherapy. For this purpose, it is important to create specialized assistance centers that will provide support in their social and psychological adaptation to civilian life.  It is identified that approximately a quarter of servicemen experience chronic post-traumatic conditions, which can be accompanied by irritability, irritability, uncontrolled reactions to stimuli, a propensity for uncontrolled aggressive reactions. Adaptation is defined as the active process of personal adjustment to the social environment, occurring through the individual’s leading activity at this stage of development. The result of this process is adaptability, which enables individuals to meet social needs and creates opportunities for self-realization in a dynamic and changing world. Groups of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (re-experiencing, avoidance, and emotional numbness, hyperarousal), symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and clinical symptoms that may manifest in servicemen are identified. Successful adaptation of combatants to civilian life is characterized as resilient reintegration, manifested in productivity in various spheres of life, awareness of new opportunities acquired as a result of combat experience. Directions of psychological assistance, stages of psychological rehabilitation, and aspects of the operation of the center for social and psychological rehabilitation of combatants are determined.