FEATURES AND LIMITS OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SHORT-TERM PSYCHOLOGICAL REHABILITATION ABROAD IN THE CONTEXT OF PREDICTING THE PSYCHOEMOTIONAL STATE OF ADOLESCENTS FROM MILITARY FAMILIES

Abstract

The article presents the identified characteristics of the psychoemotional state of adolescents from military families following short-term psychological rehabilitation abroad. The study aimed to examine changes in key psychoemotional indicators, identify relationships among them, and assess the predictive potential of the father’s family status regarding specific characteristics of adolescents’ psychoemotional state. The study involved 105 adolescents aged 12–15 years, including 55 whose fathers were active military personnel and 50 who had experienced the death of their father during the war. The study included two measurements: before and after a 14-day psychological rehabilitation program abroad. The data were analyzed using Student's t-test, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and linear regression analysis.

Statistically significant positive changes were identified in a number of indicators, including a decrease in alexithymia, difficulties in identifying and describing emotions, trait anxiety, hostility, and physical aggression, as well as an increase in empathy. Comparison of the groups revealed higher levels of alexithymia, trait anxiety, aggression, and negativism among adolescents whose fathers were still serving in the military, whereas adolescents who had experienced the loss of their father demonstrated higher levels of empathy. Correlation analysis revealed significant associations between negativism, physical aggression, and resentment, as well as negative associations between empathy and aggressive and hostile manifestations. Regression analysis demonstrated statistically significant predictive relationships between the father's status and trait anxiety (R² = 0.798), alexithymia (R² = 0.644), and empathy (R² = 0.382). No statistically significant regression model was established for state anxiety (R² = 0.024; p = 0.115).

It is concluded that short-term psychological rehabilitation may be accompanied by positive changes in adolescents’ psychoemotional state; however, its effects vary across different psychological characteristics. Personality-related indicators remain substantially associated with the adolescent’s family circumstances and require further systematic psychological support.