Lina Perelyhina - Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Professor of the Department. V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University (Ukraine).
ORCID 0000-0001-5019-7671
Anton Shvalb - Ph.D in Psychology, Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Department. V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University (Ukraine).
ORCID 0009-0001-7975-6024
Lyubov Balabanova - Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor, Professor of the Department. Kharkiv State Academy of Physical Culture (Ukraine).
ORCID 0000-0002-4112-6270
DOI - https://doi.org/10.52363/dcpp-2025.1.11
Keywords: value orientations, psychological adaptation, war, youth, meaning in life, social stress.
The article examines the impact of war on the transformation of life values and orientations among Ukrainian youth. It demonstrates that during times of social crises, profound changes occur in value systems, reflected in a shift from traditional self-fulfillment priorities to more adaptive orientations – such as safety, moral responsibility, and inner freedom. These changes are two-dimensional: on the one hand, they represent a response to traumatic experiences; on the other hand, they reveal mechanisms of psychological adaptation.
Based on the analysis of theoretical approaches and original empirical research, three phases of value change were identified: the disintegration of previous orientations, the re-evaluation of priorities, and the formation of a hybrid value system that combines national identity, tolerance for uncertainty, and social engagement.
The results indicate that war acts as a catalyst for complex psychosocial transformations, where universal adaptation mechanisms (such as the prioritization of safety and the search for meaning) intertwine with unique aspects of the Ukrainian context (digitalization, gender role neutralization).
Based on the obtained data, a psychocorrectional program was developed that integrates three key components: value reorientation, meaning-making, and the development of stress competence. This program, grounded in the principles of evidence-based practice, is aimed at forming a balanced system of life orientations that harmonizes adaptive needs with the developmental potential of the individual.
The study demonstrates that war, as an extreme social situation, indeed causes significant transformations in the value-meaning sphere of youth. However, these changes are not purely destructive – they reflect a complex process of adaptation in which defensive reactions coexist with the potential for personal growth.
The identified mechanisms of value transformation and the practical tools developed on their basis provide a foundation for effective psychological support of the young generation in the context of an ongoing crisis.
This research holds theoretical significance for understanding the mechanisms of value change under crisis conditions and practical value for the development of socio-psychological interventions.