Comparative analysis of contemporary approaches to social and psychological support for combatants and their families

In the context of full-scale war in Ukraine, the issue of psychosocial support for combatants and their families is becoming particularly relevant. High levels of stress, the risk of developing maladjustment, and problems of resocialisation and adaptation after participating in combat operations necessitate the creation of systematic psychological support programmes. The study was based on a systematic analysis of the literature and a review of the results of previous studies. The methodology was selected in accordance with the outlined objectives and the specifics of the object and subject of the study: comparative analysis, content analysis of scientific publications, and a systematic approach. The methodological tools were selected based on the outlined goal and the specifics of the object and subject of the study: comparative analysis methods, content analysis of scientific publications, and a systematic approach to summarising the social and psychological practices used in different countries. Three main groups of approaches to psychosocial support were compared: psychological (individual and group therapy, work with maladjustment and post-traumatic stress disorder), social (resocialisation, family support, educational and professional programmes), and integrative (multidisciplinary models and case management). Accordingly, the significance of psychological, social, and integrative components in the system of social and psychological support has been established. The study proved that the Ukrainian experience is unique, and the system of social and psychological support is in the process of improvement due to the active phase of repelling military aggression, while the practices of the United States, Israel and Canada have established mechanisms of state and public support due to the absence of a direct threat. The results obtained can form the basis for optimising psychological and social rehabilitation programmes for veterans, as well as for developing integrative support models that address the needs of both combatants and their families