The rehabilitation potential of folklore games in correcting symptoms of avoidance and emotional numbness in combatants

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN">Context and relevance.</span><span lang="EN"> Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) participants in combat operations are characterized by a complex of maladaptive symptoms, among which avoidance and emotional numbness occupy a key place. These symptoms lead to deep socio-psychological maladaptation, impairing the ability to establish and maintain interpersonal relationships, which significantly complicates the process of rehabilitation and reintegration into peaceful life. The purpose of the study was to identify and analyze the rehabilitation potential of game folklore practice to correct these symptoms. Hypothesis. Many years of experience in using folklore game practice and studying their effectiveness in the social and communicative development of children and adolescents have suggested that their socio-psychological resource can be successfully applied in rehabilitation work with combatants suffering from symptoms of avoidance and emotional numbness. Method and materials. The work was based on the method of substitution cultural genesis. Its essence lies in the purposeful creation of an active socio-cultural rehabilitation environment in which combatants and their family members immerse themselves. The presenters are representatives of the traditional gaming culture, who moderate the process. The article provides a conceptual analysis of several games from the rehabilitation program, revealing their psychocorrective mechanism. Results. The analysis revealed that the characteristic features of traditional games have a complex effect on the target symptoms. Diverse joint movements, rhythm and singing contribute to the psychophysiological integration and synchronization of the group, destroying isolation patterns. Equality of participants and strict rules create a predictable and safe environment that reduces anxiety. The possibility of improvisation and self-regulation of activity allows participants to dose the level of emotional and physical involvement, restoring a sense of control. The principle of voluntariness and free self-restraint ensures psychological safety, allowing you to get out of the game without prejudice to self-esteem. Conclusions. Semantic analysis of metaphorical reviews of program participants (such as "as in childhood I visited", "as if I had been in a bathhouse", "all the tension is gone") confirms the profound rehabilitation effect of the practice. These metaphors point to experiencing catharsis, psychological cleansing, restoring basic trust, and returning to a holistic, pre-traumatic sense of self. Thus, game folklore practice is a highly effective tool for indirect, indirect correction of PTSD symptoms, allowing minimizing the risks of re-traumatization associated with methods that require direct treatment of traumatic experience.</span></p>