THEORETICAL PRINCIPLES OF SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT OF SERVICEMEN’S PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY

Abstract

The article provides a theoretical substantiation of socio-psychological support of servicemen’s professional activity as an integrated system of organizational, psychological, communicative, educational and supportive measures aimed at maintaining professional effectiveness, mental health, adaptive potential and cohesion of military personnel. The relevance of the research is determined by the fact that military service belongs to professions characterized by increased responsibility, normative regulation, emotional tension, group interdependence and the need for reliable performance in complicated conditions. In such circumstances, professional effectiveness depends not only on technical and tactical competence, but also on self-regulation, trust in the unit, motivation, readiness for cooperation and a constructive attitude to psychological assistance. It is substantiated that socio-psychological support should be considered at individual, group and organizational levels. At the individual level, it is related to the development of resilience, professional identity, coping strategies and self-regulation; at the group level, it concerns cohesion, trust, supportive leadership climate and effective communication; at the organizational level, it involves legal regulation, preventive programs, leadership ethics, accessibility of psychological assistance and reduction of stigma. The author’s interpretation of socio-psychological support is proposed as a continuous, evidence-informed and manageable process of activating personal, group and institutional resources that contributes to servicemen’s professional reliability and the resilience of the military collective. The article defines the key functions, principles, components and effectiveness criteria of such a system. It is concluded that socio-psychological support should not be an episodic response to crisis manifestations, but a preventive and developmental component of managing servicemen’s professional activity.