Coping Strategies for Social Readaptation of Combatants

Abstract

According to research activities, those persons, who suffered military stress and developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), constitute a high-risk group of offending behavior in the time of peace.

Research objective:

Combatants were divided into 2 groups: those who committed (“persons under investigation” - N 1) and those who did not commit aggressive delicts and torts (“patients” - N 2).

Results:

Disadaptive (aggressive) forms of behavior occurred in “persons N 1” much more often in emotional sphere. The choice of strategies aimed on changing the situation prevailed in this group (cognitive sphere). The most distinct cognitive disorder noted in “persons N 1” was the decrease of their forecasting competency. In the groups studied, the choice of predominant strategies for overcoming social stress did differ for certain. Only 13% of “persons N 1” accepted impunitive way of reacting, while for “patients” this figure constituted 29.8%. Absense of confiding and trusting relationships, absense of usage of their efforts is more typical (p>0.05). Important factor helping to raise the level of social adaptation for “patients” include providing of affiliation (33.6%). In comparison to group of “persons N 1” they suppressed exhaustive emotions more seldom (9.7%) and were inclined to forecast real events more often. Thus, during organization of rehabilitation measures for combatants, it is necessary to consider coping strategies for overcoming social stress, as well as the level of transagression of structure of main motives and values, which may help to decrease the risk of criminal behavior for patients with PTSD.