NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF RESILIENCE AND ADAPTIVE BEHAVIOR UNDER PROLONGED SOCIAL STRESS

The article presents a comprehensive theoretical review of the neuropsychological foundations of resilience and adaptive behavior under prolonged social stress, with a specific focus on the context of the Russian–Ukrainian war. Drawing on contemporary neuroscientific and psychological research, the authors analyze key neural circuits involved in stress regulation, including the limbic system, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus, as well as the role of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. The paper highlights the functional balance between “threat detection” systems and “control” systems as a determinant of resilience, emphasizing that lower amygdala reactivity and stronger prefrontal regulation are associated with better psychological outcomes. Cognitive flexibility, emotional self-regulation, social support, and philosophical worldviews are identified as core protective factors that mitigate the risk of PTSD, depression, and maladaptive coping in conditions of chronic threat. Empirical data from Ukrainian civilian and military populations are synthesized, demonstrating a high prevalence of collective resilience despite severe war-related stressors, alongside vulnerabilities in high-risk groups such as internally displaced persons and direct victims of hostilities. The review further addresses adaptive behavioral strategies—including maintenance of daily routines, constructive problem-solving, volunteering, and spiritual practices—and contrasts them with maladaptive patterns like avoidance or substance misuse. Structural and functional neuroimaging findings are integrated to show correlations between resilience and brain morphology, such as increased gray matter volume in frontal regions and enhanced connectivity between regulatory and emotional networks. The study concludes that resilience is a dynamic, multi-level process functioning as “psychological immunity,” whose strengthening requires targeted interventions at individual and societal levels. Future research directions include longitudinal monitoring, multimodal neurobiological studies, and evaluation of resilience-building programs for various population groups.