Skip to Main Content

Clinical Psychology and Special Education
2025. Vol. 14, no. 4, 129–150
doi:10.17759/cpse.2025140408
ISSN: 2304-0394 (online)

Psychological consequences of traumatic experiences among older adolescents in areas affected to varying degrees in result of hostilities

 
Audio is AI-generated
1

, , ,

PDF (RUS)
Online translation in english
GS
Information
in Google Scholar
Metrics

Abstract

Context and relevance. The analysis of the screening data allows us to identify the specifics of the psychological consequences of traumatic experience among adolescents during periods when psychophysiological changes occur during age crisis and are superimposed on traumatic experiences. Objective: to analyze the content of traumatic experience and its psychological consequences among students in grades 9–11 living in territories affected by fighting to varying degrees. Hypothesis. 1. The content of traumatic experiences, severity of maladaptation, and symptoms of PTSD, as well as psychological coping resources vary among students living in regions affected by combat to varying degrees. 2. An increase in traumatic events, both related and unrelated to combat, is associated with an increase in PTSD symptoms, maladaptation, and a depletion of psychological coping resources. 3. The severity of PTSD symptoms is statically significantly associated with increased maladjustment in all spheres of life and depletion of psychological resources for coping with stress. Methods and materials. The study involved 3,300 adolescents aged 15–18 years in three groups of regions (New territories, border regions, and control group regions). Among them, 2011 were paired with their parents. The condition of the adolescents was assessed using the “Screening methodology for assessing the condition of children who have experienced the consequences of hostilities», a set of methods for assessing adolescent psychological resources in coping with stress, a questionnaire for assessing traumatic experiences, and a “Parental questionnaire» for assessing the traumatic experiences of adolescents. Results. Adolescents living in regions affected by fighting (New territories and border regions) have had more extensive experience with traumatic experiences, both related and unrelated to the consequences of the fighting. High rates of PTSD are particularly common among adolescents from New territories. In adolescents of all three groups of regions (New territories, border regions, and regions included into control group), the predominance of mild and moderate degrees of maladjustment were revealed, while the indicators of maladjustment were significantly higher in the control group areas. Traumatic experiences unrelated to combat showed more significant associations with maladjustment across all indicators. Conclusions. When working with teenagers living in areas prone to combat, it is important not to overlook the presence of traumatic experiences related to family or close social environment. The experience of traumatic events in a family or close social environment among older adolescents is more likely to hinder the formation of resilience, and therefore, its use as a resource to coping with stress. The data obtained show the need to investigate PTSD and maladjustment as separate phenomena.

General Information

Keywords: adolescents, maladjustment, traumatic experience, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) hostilities, psychological resources

Journal rubric: Empirical Research

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.2025140408

Funding. The study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project number 25-28-01370, https://rscf.ru/project/25-28-01370/

Acknowledgements. The authors are grateful for assistance in data collection for this study the following Chief External Тeacher-psychоligists: E.A. Viktorova, I.V. Kovaleva, I.V. Ivanova, O.A. Gurzhiy, V.S. Glevitskaya, E.V. Baraban, A.L. Martynenko, N.N. Kashcheyeva, and L.R. Khalikova.

Supplemental data. Datasets аvailable from: https://doi.org/10.48612/MSUPE/dub5-vp26-68xz

Received 04.07.2025

Revised 04.12.2025

Accepted

Published

For citation: Ulyanina, O.A., Aleksandrova, L.A., Nikiforova, E.A., Dmitrieva, S.O. (2025). Psychological consequences of traumatic experiences among older adolescents in areas affected to varying degrees in result of hostilities. Clinical Psychology and Special Education, 14(4), 129–150. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.2025140408

© Ulyanina O.A., Aleksandrova L.A., Nikiforova E.A., Dmitrieva S.O., 2025

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

References

  1. Александрова, Л.А., Дмитриева, С.О. (2024). Дети в условиях войны: обзор зарубежных исследований. Современная зарубежная психология, 13(1), 139—149. https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2024130113
    Aleksandrova, L.A., Dmitrieva, S.O. (2024). Children and war: Review of foreign studies. Journal of Modern Foreign Psychology, 13(1), 139—149. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2024130113
  2. Головей, Л.А., Галашева, О.С. (2023). Роль социальной поддержки и жизнестойкости в социально-психологической адаптации юношей и девушек. Вестник Санкт-Петербургского университета. Психология, 13(4), 509—522. https://doi.org/10.21638/spbu16.2023.405
    Golovey, L.A., Galasheva, O.S. (2023). The role of social support and resilience in the socio-psychological adaptation of adolescents. Vestnik of Saint Petersburg University. Psychology, 13(4), 509—522. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.21638/spbu16.2023.405
  3. Данилова, М.В. (2024). Личностные и социальные факторы в восприятии стресса юношами и девушками старшего подросткового возраста. Вестник Санкт-Петербургского университета. Психология, 14(1), 62—78. https://doi.org/10.21638/spbu16.2024.104
    Danilova, M.V. (2024). Personal and social factors of stress perception by senior adolescent boys and girls. Vestnik of Saint Petersburg University. Psychology, 14(1), 62—78. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.21638/spbu16.2024.104
  4. Дегтярев, А.В., Ефимочкина, К.М. (2020). Развитие психологических ресурсов совладающего поведения как фактора профилактики ситуативной тревожности в старшем подростковом возрасте. Психология и право, 10(2), 25—34. https://doi.org/10.17759/psylaw.2020100203
    Degtyarev, A.V., Efimochkina, K.M. (2020). Development of psychological resources of coping behavior as a factor of prevention of situational anxiety in older adolescence. Psychology and Law, 10(2), 25—34. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/psylaw.2020100203
  5. Камская, О.А., Одинцова, М.А., Радчикова, Н.П., Гурова, Е.В. (2023). Опросник «Родительское рефлексивное функционирование»: адаптация на русскоязычной выборке. Современная зарубежная психология, 12(3), 126—136. https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2023120312
    Kamskaya, O.A., Odintsova, M.A., Radchikova, N.P., Gurova, E.V. (2023). The parental reflective functioning questionnaire: Adaptation for the Russian-speaking sample. Journal of Modern Foreign Psychology, 12(3), 126—136. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2023120312
  6. Караяни, А.Г. (2024). Психологическая реинтеграция семей участников боевых действий: зарубежный опыт. В: Перспективы отраслевого взаимодействия в комплексной реабилитации. Материалы VI Международной научно-практической конференции (с. 167—172). Орел.
    Karayani, A.G. (2024). Psychological reintegration of combatants' families: Foreign experience. In: Prospects for Sectoral Cooperation in Comprehensive Rehabilitation. Proceedings of the 6th International Scientific and Practical Conference (pp. 167—172). (In Russ.).
  7. Леонтьев, Д.А. (2014). Развитие личности в норме и в затрудненных условиях. Культурно-историческая психология, 10(3), 97—106. URL: https://psyjournals.ru/journals/chp/archive/2014_n3/71895 (дата обращения: 20.12.2025)
    Leontiev, D.A. (2014). Personality development in normal and complicated conditions. Cultural-Historical Psychology, 10(3), 97—106. (In Russ.). URL: https://psyjournals.ru/en/journals/chp/archive/2014_n3/71895 (viewed: 20.12.2025)
  8. Маркова, В.И., Александрова, Л.А., Золотарева, А.А. (2022). Русскоязычная версия краткой шкалы резилентности: психометрический анализ на примере выборок студентов, многодетных родителей и родителей детей с инвалидностью. Национальный психологический журнал, 45(1), 65—75. https://doi.org/10.11621/npj.2022.0106
    Markova, V.I., Aleksandrova, L.A., Zolotareva, A.A. (2022). Russian version of the Brief Resilience Scale: psychometric analysis for the samples of students, parents with many children and parents of disabled children. National psychological journal, 45(1), 65—75. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.11621/npj.2022.0106
  9. Моросанова, В.И., Кондратюк, Н.Г. (2020). Опросник В.И. Моросановой «Стиль саморегуляции поведения — ССПМ 2020». Вопросы психологии, 4, 155—167.
    Morosanova, V.I., Kondratyuk, N.G. (2020). Morosanova’s “self-regulation profile questionnaire — srpqm 2020”. Voprosy psikhologii, 4, 155—167. (In Russ.).
  10. Тарабрина, Н.В. (2001). Практикум по психологии посттравматического стресса. СПб.: Питер.
    Tarabrina, N.V. (2001). A Practical guide to the psychology of post-traumatic stress. Saint-Petersburg: Peter. (In Russ.).
  11. Тарабрина, Н.В., Хажуев, И.С. (2015). Посттравматический стресс и защитно-совладающее поведение у населения, проживающего в условиях длительной чрезвычайной ситуации. Экспериментальная психология, 8(3), 215—226. https://doi.org/10.17759/exppsy.2015080318
    Tarabrina, N.V., Hazhuev, I.S. (2015). Post-traumatic stress and protective-coping behavior among the population living in conditions of prolonged emergency. Experimental Psychology (Russia), 8(3), 215—226. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/exppsy.2015080318
  12. Ульянина, О.А., Вихристюк, О.В., Екимова, В.И. (ред.). (2024). Дети и подростки в условиях боевых действий: диагностика последствий и психологическая помощь. Самара: Бахрах-М.
    Ulyanina, O.A., Vikhristyuk, O.V., Ekimova,V.I. (eds.). (2024). Children and adolescents in combat situations: Diagnostics of Consequences and Psychological Assistance. Samara: Bakhrakh-M. (In Russ.).
  13. Beni Yonis, O., Khader, Y., Jarboua, A., Al-Bsoul, M.M., Al-Akour, N., Alfaqih, M.A., Khatatbeh, M.M., Amarneh, B. (2020). Post-traumatic stress disorder among Syrian adolescent refugees in Jordan. Journal of public health (Oxford, England), 42(2), 319—324. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdz026
  14. Biset, G., Goshiye, D., Melesse, N., Tsehay, M. (2022). Post-traumatic stress disorders among children and adolescents in conflict-affected zones of Amhara region, February 2022. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1052975
  15. Frounfelker, R.L., Islam, N., Falcone, J., Farrar, J., Ra, C., Antonaccio, C.M., Enelamah, N., Betancourt, T.S. (2019). Living through war: Mental health of children and youth in conflict affected areas. International Review of the Red Cross, 101(911), 481—506. https://doi.org/10.1017/S181638312000017X
  16. Gindt, M., Fernandez, A., Zeghari, R., Menard, M.L., Nachon, O., Richez, A., Auby, P., Battista, M., Askenazy F. (2022). A 3-year retrospective study of 866 children and adolescent outpatients followed in the Nice Pediatric Psychotrauma Center created after the 2016 mass terror attack. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1010957
  17. Kassa, M.A., Fenta, S., Anbesaw, T., Tesfa, N.A., Zemariam, A.B., Kassaw, G.M., Abate, B.B., Semagn, E.G. (2024). Post-traumatic stress disorder and associated factors among high school students who experienced war in Woldia town. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1359370
  18. Qeshta, H., Hawajri, A.M.A, Thabet, A.M. (2019). The relationship between war trauma, PTSD, anxiety and depression among adolescents in the Gaza Strip. Health Science Journal, 13(1), art. 621. https://doi.org/21767/1791-809X.1000621
  19. Scharpf, F., Saupe, L., Crombach, A., Haer, R., Ibrahim, H., Neuner, F., Peltonen, K., Qouta, S., Saile, R., Hecker, T. (2023). The network structure of posttraumatic stress symptoms in war-affected children and adolescents. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry Advances, 3(1), art. e12124. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcv2.12124
  20. Veronese, G., Bdier, D., Obaid, H., Mahamid, F., Crugnola, C.R., Cavazzoni, F. (2023). Hope and life satisfaction in Palestinian children victim of military violence: The predictive role of agency, potentially traumatic experiences and symptoms of trauma. Child Abuse & Neglect, 146, 106520. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106520

Information About the Authors

Olga A. Ulyanina, Doctor of Psychology, Associate Professor, Head of the Federal Coordination Center for Provision the Development of Psychological and Pedagogical Assistance in the Education System of the Russian Federation, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Corresponding member of the RAE, Chief Researcher of the Research Center, Academy of Management of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia; Professor of Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Psychology at National Research University “Higher School of Economics”, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9300-4825, e-mail: ulyaninaoa@mgppu.ru

Lada A. Aleksandrova, Candidate of Science (Psychology), Leading Analyst of the Federal Coordination Center for Provision the Development of Psychological and Pedagogical Assistance in the Education System of the Russian Federation, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology & Pedagogy of Distance Learning, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Associate Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Psychology at National Research University “Higher School of Economics”, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3539-8058, e-mail: ladaleksandrova@mail.ru

Ekaterina A. Nikiforova, Head of the Department of Scientific and Methodological Support at the Federal Coordination Center for the Provision of Psychological Services in the Education System of the Russian Federation, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0488-6497, e-mail: k.Nikiforova.2014@yandex.ru

Svetlana O. Dmitrieva, Candidate of Science (Art History), Leading Analyst of the Federal Coordination Center for Provision of Psychological Services in Education System of Russia, Moscow State University of Psychology & Education, Associate Professor, Dubna State University, Dubna, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1012-5948, e-mail: dmitrievaso@mgppu.ru

Contribution of the authors

Olga A. Ulyanina — research ideas; scientific editing; planning and organization of research; monitoring of research, description of research results.

Lada A. Aleksandrova — application of statistical, mathematical and other methods for data analysis; analysis, description and visualization of research results.

Ekaterina A. Nikiforova — organization of research, editing of the manuscript.

Svetlana O. Dmitrieva — analysis of domestic and foreign sources on the research topic, preparation of a literary review, design and editing of the manuscript.

All authors participated in the discussion of the results and approved the final text of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Ethics statement

Written informed consent for participation in this study was obtained from the participants (or legal guardians / next of kin of the participants).

Metrics

 Web Views

Whole time: 6
Previous month: 0
Current month: 6

 PDF Downloads

Whole time: 1
Previous month: 0
Current month: 1

 Total

Whole time: 7
Previous month: 0
Current month: 7