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Yana Rudenko - Ph.D. students of the Adjuncture Program. National University of Civil Protection of Ukraine, Cherkasy (Ukraine)
ORCID 0000-0002-2815-7259
DOI - https://doi.org/10.52363/dcpp-2025.2.6
Keywords: psychological climate, team climate, moral-psychological state, serviceman, mental state, extreme situation, war.
The article is devoted to the study of the psychological climate and the moral-psychological state of the servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine under conditions of full-scale invasion. The relevance of the work is justified by the critical need for timely diagnostics and psychological response to the condition of combatants in order to stabilize behavior, improve the internal climate in units, and maintain their combat capability.
A theoretical analysis of the works of Ukrainian scholars (Z. Komar, O. Kokun, M. Variy, and others) demonstrates that the key factors in forming psychological stability are the command climate (cohesion), effective leadership (trust, commander’s authority), and the mental health of personnel. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of the commander and the importance of applying flexible, teamwork-oriented, and mentoring management styles.
The aim of the article is to empirically examine the psychological state of servicemen in the combat zone and to identify the key factors influencing their MPS. The methodology included an anonymous survey of 312 combatants performing tasks on the front line. A set of validated psychodiagnostic tools was used (Short Anxiety, Depression and PTSD Scale; susceptibility to suicidal reactions (Sr); self-assessment of psychophysiological state; Spielberger-Khanin anxiety level; degree of depression) as well as a standardized MPS questionnaire (according to the Ministry of Defence guidelines).
The results of the MPS study indicated an overall “satisfactory” (positive) state within the unit. A high level of trust in direct company-level commanders was identified (3.95 out of 4), although significantly lower levels were reported for battalion command (2.75) and brigade command (2.55). Critically low indicators were found regarding confidence in social protection (0.95) and awareness of decisions made by senior leadership (1.31). Psychodiagnostics revealed that a considerable portion of respondents (approximately 30–40%) exhibited signs of psycho-emotional disturbances: 27.9% displayed symptoms of anxiety/depression/PTSD, 41.7% showed high reactive anxiety, and 31.8% demonstrated moderate or high levels of depression.
Thus, the figure of the commander – along with their professional and leadership qualities – is decisive in maintaining a healthy psychological climate and unit cohesion. Despite the generally satisfactory MPS, the high rates of anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion identified among a third of the personnel indicate an urgent need for systematic psychological support, prevention, and rehabilitation to preserve combat readiness.