EMPIRICAL STUDY OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL STATE OF WAR-AFFECTED INDIVIDUALS AS A BASIS FOR IMPLEMENTING ONLINE COUNSELING

Abstract

The article presents the results of an empirical study of the psychological state of individuals in need of support due to military events, aimed at scientifically substantiating the feasibility and effectiveness of online counseling technologies. The relevance of the study is determined by the growing need for psychological assistance among people affected by the traumatic impact of war and the limited opportunities to receive traditional face-to-face therapy. The purpose of the research is to identify the characteristics of the respondents’ psychological state and to substantiate the use of remote support formats to overcome the consequences of stress and trauma. The study was conducted at the Kherson Assistance Center “Vilni Razom” (Chernivtsi) and involved 30 participants aged 18 to 65, mostly internally displaced persons. To assess the psychological state of the respondents, three tools were used: the PSM-25 Psychological Stress Scale, the Traumatic Stress Questionnaire, and the WHO Quality of Life Questionnaire. The results revealed high levels of stress and trauma, as well as decreased indicators of psychological well-being, confirming the critical need for professional psychological support. An analysis of current international and domestic studies indicates that online counseling can be as effective as traditional therapy, provided that specialists receive proper training and ethical standards are observed. The advantages of remote counseling include accessibility, safety, confidentiality, and the reduction of psychological barriers to seeking help. The findings confirm the feasibility of implementing online counseling as a flexible, adaptive, and effective form of psychological assistance in wartime conditions. The scientific novelty of the study lies in identifying empirical indicators of the psychological state of individuals with war-related trauma and substantiating the need to develop a specialized online counseling program as a modern and adaptive form of psychological support.