The article presents the results of the author’s empirical study of the age-related features of personal vulnerability to post-traumatic stress disorder of the victims suffered because of hostilities at the anti-terrorist operation area at the east of Ukraine. The article describes combatants’ and children’s personal traits changed as a result of their psychological trauma. The research includes a comparative psycho-diagnostic study of the combatants from the National Guard of Ukraine and children from the anti-terrorist operation area living now at the International Children’s Center «Artek» (Kyiv, Puscha-Voditsa). Differences in indicators of post-traumatic stress disorder of the combatants and the children have been revealed. Based on the correlation analysis, the age differences for the main psychological factors influencing vulnerability to destructive post-traumatic stress disorder have been determined. These personal determinants of the combatants and the children, who are victims of combat operations, help us to reveal the specifics of psychological prophylaxis taking into account age-related characteristics. The article shows there are a number of personal traits that require correction regardless of victims’ age-specific characteristics during psychological assistance and psychological rehabilitation. In addition, the article identifies the differences in personal characteristics of the affected combatants and children that should be taken into account at application of psycho-corrective measures based on clients’ age-related features.
Longitudinal changes of telomere length and epigenetic age related to traumatic stress and post-traumatic stress disorder
