Kyiv journal of modern psychology and psychotherapy

PSYCHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF MANIFESTATIONS OF AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR OF ADOLESCENTS IN CONDITIONS OF MILITARY CONFLICT

Nataliia Zaviazkina, Nina Saad — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0300

The coursework is devoted to the study of the psychological characteristics of aggressive behavior of adolescents in the context of a chronic military conflict in Ukraine. The relevance of the topic is due to the need to study the impact of a constant stressful background and the destruction of social structures on the mental development of one of the most vulnerable groups. The aim of the work was to theoretically study the phenomenon of aggression and empirically clarify the relationship between the level of perceived stress and aggressive manifestations. The study used the L. G. Pochebut aggression questionnaire and the PSS-10 Perceived Stress Scale on a sample of 58 adolescents. Empirical analysis showed a moderate level of aggression and stress, as well as the absence of significant differences between groups by gender or migration experience. The key result is the confirmation of a strong positive correlation between perceived stress and the general level of aggressiveness. It was found that stress is the strongest and only reliable predictor of self-aggression and emotional aggression. In conditions of chronic stress, adolescents are prone to internalizing aggressive impulses, directing internal hostility towards themselves. The results emphasize the importance of focusing psychological assistance on internal maladjustment.

The relationship between personality traits and emotional states in women with eating disorders

Olena Zapolska, Nataliia Maksymova — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0300

The origin of eating disorders is increasingly being considered by scientific opinion as having a psycho-emotional origin. The phenomenon of eating disorders has been studied in various scientific approaches. This article analyzes the scientific literature devoted to the relationship between eating disorders and emotional states experienced by women, as well as their personal character traits. Certain psychological states and personality traits have been identified that affect the high probability of manifestations of food addictive behavior. The phenomenon of eating disorders as a type of addictive behavior has also been studied.

STRESS RESISTANCE AS A FACTOR OF RESILIENCE IN YOUNG ADULTS UNDER MARTIAL LAW

Yevheniia Ivanova, Maria Nevmerzhitska — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0300

The article presents the results of a study of the relationship between stress resistance and resilience of young people under martial law. Special attention is paid to the analysis of these psychological phenomena as resources for adaptation to prolonged stress, uncertainty, and social change. Their role in maintaining mental health, preserving emotional balance, and ensuring effective functioning of young individuals under crisis conditions is examined. The relevance of the topic is due to the need to preserve the mental health and ability of young people to adapt in the situations of prolonged stress, uncertainty, and social changes. The results of the empirical study indicate that a high level of stress tolerance is positively associated with high indicators of resilience and its main components – control, involvement, and acceptance of challenges – which confirms the hypothesis about the interdependence of these personal resources.

PERSONALITY TRAITS AS FACTORS OF USER EXPERIENCE DURING INTERACTION WITH AI-CHATBOT

Eduard Krainikov, Valentyn Kurchenko-Hay — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0300

A study was conducted on 40 Ukrainian migrants aged 18–55 who actively used the Engly.io platform. Personality traits were measured using TIPI-UKR, and user experience was assessed using satisfaction, trust, engagement, and perceived effectiveness indicators. A significant correlation was found between extraversion and engagement in interaction with an AI chatbot (r=0.35, p=0.027), as well as a negative correlation of age with perceived learning effectiveness (r=−0.41, p=0.008). Other predicted relationships between personality traits and user experience indicators were not statistically confirmed. The results indicate limited predictive value of personality traits in shaping the experience of interacting with educational AI chatbots.

PSYCHOMETRIC EVALUATION OF THE UKRAINIAN VERSION OF THE GAD-7 SCALE AND ITS SHORT FORMS GAD-4 AND GAD-2

Denys Lavrynenko, Illia Zarubin, Nadiia Aleksina, Olga Gerasimenko — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0300

Background. In the context of increasing prevalence of anxiety disorders, particularly under wartime conditions in Ukraine, there is an urgent need for validated screening instruments. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry about everyday events that persists for a minimum of six months and is accompanied by somatic symptoms. The general anxiety disorder scale (GAD-7) is a widely utilized self-report instrument in research, facilitating rapid assessment of anxiety levels in both clinical and general populations. Objective and methods. The objective of this study was to psychometrically evaluate the Ukrainian version of the GAD-7 scale and its short forms (GAD-4 and GAD-2) in a student sample. A total of 596 students participated in the study, with data collected online in two waves, one month apart. Results. The GAD-7 demonstrated high internal consistency (α=0.854; ω=0.855) and strong test–retest reliability (r=0.751, p<0.001). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported the hypothesized unidimensional structure of the scale. The abbreviated versions also showed acceptable model fit, and the GAD-2 demonstrated strong predictive validity (AUC = 0.862). Conclusion. These findings support the reliability and validity of the Ukrainian GAD-7 and the appropriateness of its short forms for screening purposes in the university student population.

PSYCHOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF THE INFLUENCE OF SYNTHETIC CONTENT ON POLITICAL TRUST AND ELECTORAL CHOICE

Liliia Makarenko — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0300

The psychological mechanisms of synthetic content (deepfakes, AI-generated texts) influence on political trust and electoral behavior are analyzed. It is established that synthetic content appeals to intuitive information processing (System 1), bypassing analytical control. The roles of the illusory truth effect, confirmation bias, and the Liar’s Dividend phenomenon in fostering epistemic nihilism are examined. Fear and anger are shown to be key mediators of manipulative content virality. The effectiveness of prebunking as a cognitive protection strategy is demonstrated. Recommendations for media literacy and electoral education programs are formulated.

THE IMPACT OF GENDER ON LIFE SATISFACTION OF WOMEN ABROAD

Mariia Makogon, Katerina Milutina — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0300

The article examines the impact of gender factors on subjective well-being and life satisfaction of Ukrainian women residing abroad under temporary protection status. Particular attention is paid to the correlation between gender role identity types (masculinity, femininity, androgyny), the level of mindfulness, and the capacity for adaptation in the context of forced migration and separation from a partner. The study analyzes the following challenges: the necessity of simultaneously performing traditionally female and masculine roles in the absence of a husband's support; overcoming language barriers and social isolation; raising children in a new cultural environment; and the transformation of personal identity under the pressure of circumstances. It has been established that the migration situation creates a specific demand for "gender flexibility," where women are forced to master behavioral strategies that were previously uncharacteristic of them.

FEATURES OF EMOTIONAL SELF-REGULATION IN ADOLESCENTS WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF AGGRESSIVENESS

Solomiia Sapuzhak, Iryna Savelieva — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0300

The article examines the features of emotional self-regulation in adolescents with varying levels of aggressiveness. Emotional self-regulation is viewed as a key mechanism of adaptive personal functioning, enabling conscious management of emotional states in a dynamic environment. Adolescence is a sensitive period for developing mature regulation strategies amid emotional crisis and neurobiological changes. The study reveals an inverse relationship between aggressiveness and self-regulation effectiveness: high aggressiveness (more prevalent in boys) is associated with predominant maladaptive strategies, intense negative emotional experiences, and reduced self-efficacy, whereas low aggressiveness correlates with higher regulation levels and self-efficacy (with girls showing an advantage). The findings highlight the protective role of emotional self-regulation against aggressive behavior and underscore the need for targeted programs to foster adaptive regulation strategies, self-esteem, and self-efficacy.

ATTENTION BIAS AND SELF-REPORT MEASURES AS INDICATORS OF COGNITIVE AND AFFECTIVE CHANGE IN ADOLESCENTS PARTICIPATING IN SCHOOL-BASED SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP BOOTCAMPS

Andrii Solonskyi, Volodymyr Chernobrovkin — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0300

This study evaluated whether a low-burden, webcam-based eye-tracking platform can complement standard questionnaires when monitoring mental health of adolescents participating in school-based social entrepreneurship bootcamps. Using the Anima platform, high school students completed 691 anonymized sessions across five assessment waves, which combined standardized self-report measures of anxiety and depression with webcam-based eye-tracking indices of attention bias (AB). Across waves, self-report data indicated reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms. AB indices stayed below the severe cutoffs and showed no systematic change. First-wave AB distributions are reported as a provisional reference point for adolescent performance in this context. The study highlights Anima’s value as a low-burden, scalable tool for mental health monitoring.

ON THE PROBLEM OF DEFINING THE PHENOMENON OF CODEPENDENCY: A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS

Denys Starkov — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0300

The relevance of the research topic. The article is devoted to a theoretical analysis of the phenomenon of codependency. Research methodology. A theoretical analysis of the main approaches to defining codependency and their correspondence to different levels of psychological analysis was conducted. Results. A conceptualization of codependency as a “syndrome of response to a significant other’s illness” is proposed, along with a model of its development as an interaction between reactive and personality-based factors. Four levels of severity of codependent behavior (normative, neurotic, borderline, and psychotic) are identified, and their underlying psychological mechanisms are described. Key findings. The study substantiates the relevance of a humanistic approach in working with codependent reactions and offers a critical reconsideration of rigid directive interventions.

PILOT STUDY OF A QUESTIONNAIRE ON PROFESSIONAL RESISTANCE AND MOTIVATION OF PSYCHOLOGISTS AND PSYCHOTHERAPISTS IN WORKING WITH CASES OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE

Mariia Tyshchenko — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0300

The results of a pilot study of the author’s questionnaire “Resistance and Motivation of Psychologists and Psychotherapists in Working with Cases of Sexual Violence” were analyzed. Item clarity, instrument acceptability, and preliminary psychometric characteristics of the scales were examined. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s α and McDonald’s ω coefficients. Problematic item formulations related to topic sensitivity, professional obviousness, and construct heterogeneity were identified. The necessity of further optimization of the questionnaire prior to the main stage of the study was demonstrated.

THE PHENOMENON OF PARENTAL SACRIFICE DURING THE WAR IN UKRAINE: CULTURAL MODELS AND ASPECTS

Nataliia Trutenko — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0300

The phenomenon of parental sacrifice, in the context of the full-scale war in Ukraine, collective trauma and forced migrations, which have led to a significant transformation of family dynamics and the intensification of parental stress, requires rethinking. The aim of this study is to identify its psychological, behavioral and social aspects in the contemporary Ukrainian context; for this purpose, the theoretical analysis and synthesis of current interdisciplinary sources were performed. It was demonstrated that in wartime conditions parental sacrifice acquires an existential character, performing protective and stabilizing function for children, while simultaneously combining adaptive potential with possible risks to the psychological well-being of both generations. The ambivalence of this phenomenon was outlined both as a resource and as a significant factor of parental exhaustion in times of crisis.