CREATIVITY AS A PSYCHOLOGICAL RESOURCE FOR THE SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL ADAPTATION OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS

Abstract

The relevance of the study is determined by the need to identify psychological resources that facilitate successful socio-psychological adaptation among internally displaced persons (IDPs) under martial law. Forced displacement is accompanied by significant changes in individuals’ habitual lifestyles, social environments, occupational and family circumstances. Creativity, understood as an individual’s capacity for flexible thinking, generating alternative approaches to problem-solving, and developing new patterns of behaviour, may represent a promising adaptation resource. The aim of this article is to determine the role of creativity as a psychological resource in the socio-psychological adaptation of internally displaced persons under martial law. Research methodology: To achieve this aim, theoretical methods of analysis, systematization, and generalization of scholarly sources were employed, along with standardized psychological assessment tools, namely the “Socio-Psychological Adaptation Diagnostic Methodology” developed by K. Rogers and R. Diamond and P. Torrance’s “Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking” (TTCT). The empirical study was conducted on a sample of 20 internally displaced persons aged 20 to 69 who were temporarily residing in host communities in Ukraine. Results. The findings indicated a moderate level of socio-psychological adaptation among the participants, with a tendency toward a relatively adequate level of adaptation. Analysis of creativity indicators demonstrated that the respondents possessed the capacity to generate alternative ideas, seek non-standard solutions, and creatively reinterpret challenging life circumstances. A tendency toward lower creativity scores with increasing age was identified. Conclusions. A comparative analysis of the findings suggests that creativity may perform a resource function in the adaptation process of IDPs by facilitating cognitive and behavioural flexibility, supporting the search for new ways of coping with difficulties, and contributing to the development of adaptive behavioural strategies.