Personality traits as predictors of behavioral propensities of combat participants

The purpose of the article is to empirically study the structure of personality traits of combatants according to the COMM, INT, EMO blocks and the MD indicator. The relevance of the study is due to the need to identify internal psychological factors that ensure adaptation to extreme experiences and support functional behavior in risky situations. Research methods. An empirical study was conducted on a sample of 76 servicemen with combat experience. A factor model of personality (16PF) was applied with the calculation of mean values, standard deviations and correlation coefficients. Three integral blocks were constructed - communicative, intellectual and emotional - to analyze structural relationships with the MD indicator (self-esteem). Data processing was carried out in the SPSS environment using the Pearson coefficient and 95% confidence intervals. Results. It was found that the leading correlation of MD is found precisely with the communicative block, which includes social courage, expressiveness, responsibility, independence and sociability (r=0.48; p<0.001). The intellectual and emotional blocks do not demonstrate significant relationships with MD. High variability of emotional indicators was recorded, which indicates the need for further analysis of intragroup response types. The personality profile of combatants is characterized by increased indicators of normative behavior, self-control and social initiative. Conclusions. The communicative block is a key factor associated with self-esteem and the likelihood of adaptive behavior. Such a configuration indicates the functional consistency of dispositional traits that form the prerequisites for behavioral regulation under combat load.