The Relationship Between Psychological Resilience, Coping Strategies, and Combat Stress Among Military Personnel in Combat Conditions

Abstract

The relevance of this study is driven by the growing psychological burden experienced by members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the context of active combat operations. These conditions are marked by extreme stress, exposure to life-threatening situations, loss of comrades, and high levels of uncertainty, requiring deeper insight into psychological adaptation mechanisms. Particular attention is paid to the interaction between personal variables such as psychological resilience and coping strategies in relation to combat stress levels. The aim of this article is to examine the interrelations between psychological resilience, types of coping strategies, and combat stress among military personnel with direct combat experience. The study sample included 120 service members (86% male, 14% female) aged 22 to 48 years. Standardized psychodiagnostic tools were used: the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), the COPE inventory to assess dominant coping styles, and the Combat Exposure Scale (CES) to evaluate combat stress levels. The findings demonstrate statistically significant correlations between the studied constructs. Psychological resilience negatively correlates with combat stress, while active coping strategies show a positive relationship with resilience and a negative one with combat stress. Avoidant coping strategies, conversely, are positively correlated with combat stress. Regression analysis revealed that psychological resilience is a significant predictor of reduced combat stress, whereas coping strategies alone do not exhibit a substantial predictive effect. In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of enhancing psychological resilience as a key resource for safeguarding the mental health of military personnel. It also emphasizes the need for targeted psychological interventions aimed at reducing maladaptive coping and fostering more effective stress management strategies. The findings have practical applications in the development of training programs, military psychological diagnostics, and post-combat rehabilitation.