AUTOAGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR IN MILITARY PERSONNEL WITH POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER IN THE CONTEXT OF THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR

Relevance. The Russian-Ukrainian war, ongoing since 2014 and intensified in 2022, has led to profound psychological consequences for military personnel involved in combat operations. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions among combatants, triggered by severe psychotraumas, including the loss of comrades, use of lethal weapons, and constant life-threatening situations. Autoaggressive behavior, encompassing self-harm, suicidal ideation, and attempts, represents a severe complication of рost-traumatic stress disorder, posing a significant threat to the mental health and lives of military personnel. It is projected that by 2025, the prevalence of autoaggression among combatants with рost-traumatic stress disorder will increase to 25–30%, driven by the prolonged conflict, accumulation of multiple psychotraumas, and limited access to rehabilitation programs. Objective. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between PTSD symptoms and manifestations of autoaggressive behavior in military personnel who participated in combat operations during the Russian-Ukrainian War, as well as to assess predictive trends regarding long-term mental health outcomes and behavioral risks. This study is critical for developing early diagnostic, preventive, and psychological support strategies to mitigate the risks of self-harm. Materials and methods. The study involved 32 male combatants diagnosed with PTSD, who had been in combat zones for at least 6 months. Clinical and psychopathological methods, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5), and the Autoaggressive Behavior Scale (Kokun, 2018) were used to assess mental health status. Results. Autoaggressive behavior was diagnosed in 65% of participants, with the highest rates among those with pronounced negative emotions (40.6%) and hyperarousal (71.9%). A significant correlation between PTSD severity and autoaggression levels was revealed (r = 0.68, p < 0.05), highlighting the critical role of emotional dysregulation. The findings underscore the need for systematic mental health monitoring, improved рost-traumatic stress disorder diagnostics, and targeted interventions to reduce self-harm risks. Future research should focus on developing preventive programs for combatants with рost-traumatic stress disorder in the context of prolonged conflicts, considering social and medical factors influencing mental health outcomes.