Level and main factors of distress of participants of the Special Military Operation hospitalized for acubarotrauma

Objective. To assess the severity of PTSD symptoms and the level of psychological distress among participants of the Special Military Operation hospitalized with acoustic-barotrauma; to identify the primary clinical and socio-psychological factors contributing to distress; and to determine key stress-coping resources in order to enhance the effectiveness of rehabilitation and psychological intervention programs. Methods. The study was conducted at the National Medical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngology of the FMBA of Russia, with the support of the "Defenders of the Fatherland" Foundation, between February 2025 and May 2026. A total of 102 male respondents aged 29 to 73 years (M = 51 years, SD = 10) participated. The study was carried out in a single phase, during which participants completed a personal questionnaire to gather anamnestic and socio-demographic data, the PCL-5 questionnaire to screen for PTSD symptoms, and a modified version of Holland’s "Distress Thermometer" to assess the level and factors of subjective distress. Results. A high level of psychological trauma is observed among participants of the Special Military Operation who have sustained acoustic trauma. Between 18.4% and 27.6% of patients exhibit pronounced symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at a clinical level, indicating a need for professional assistance from specialists—specifically clinical psychologists and, in some cases, psychiatrists. Mean scores for subjective distress associated with the identified hearing impairments reach 3.4 out of 10. More than half of the respondents express serious concerns regarding their future, employment prospects, and financial well-being due to hearing loss caused by acoustic trauma. Key stress-coping factors for these individuals include both external sources of support (family, friends, medical staff, financial aid) and internal resources (positive mindset, humor, religious beliefs, and prior experience coping with adverse events). Marital status is a statistically significant factor determining the level of psychological distress; unmarried participants exhibit significantly higher levels of distress. Notably, while marital status influences the overall level of distress, it does not affect specific PTSD symptoms, suggesting that these phenomena have distinct underlying natures. Conclusions. Psychological distress in this group of patients is pronounced and is driven not only by current clinical symptoms but also by anxiety regarding long-term life prospects—factors that must be taken into account when designing rehabilitation pathways. These findings justify the need to integrate psychological assessment and psychosocial rehabilitation into the standard treatment and rehabilitation protocol for patients with acoustic barotrauma, starting from the time of hospitalization. In approximately one-quarter of the patients examined, PTSD symptoms reach a clinically significant level, highlighting the need to involve mental health specialists in their care.

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