THE STATE OF MENTAL HEALTH OF VOLU NTEERS IN CONDI TIONS OF WAR: A FOCUS ON ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION

Abstract

According to contemporary scientific research, volunteers engaged in humanitarian activities aimed at supporting military personnel and individuals affected by war exhibit higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to the general population. Risk factors for increased anxiety and depression include the duration and regularity of work with wounded individuals, displaced persons, families of deceased persons, or those who are in captivity or missing, insufficient organizational support for individuals involved in volunteer activities, as well as pre-existing mental health problems and personality characteristics. Scientific novelty. In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of studies specifically focused on individuals engaged in volunteer activities during wartime. These studies confirm that volunteers have specific risk factors as well as protective factors that influence mental health. Recent research indicates that a proportion of volunteers demonstrate simultaneously elevated anxiety and subclinical depression, but with different dynamics (for example, volunteer motivation may mitigate depressive symptoms while maintaining a high level of anxiety due to constant anticipation of threat). The intensity and duration of volunteers’ exposure to traumatic events correlate with the level of anxiety and depressive symptoms [2]. This population group requires further research aimed at developing unified algorithms for the diagnosis of mental disorders and creating adapted practical programs that include psychoeducation and psychocorrection. The research objective is to determine the levels of anxiety and depression among volunteers carrying out their activities in conditions of war and to develop an algorithm for diagnosis and comprehensive correction. Results. Anxiety and depression indicators according to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) demonstrated a high level of emotional tension among volunteers who carried out their activities in conditions of war. On the anxiety subscale (HADS-A), the median level was 14 points (Me = 14; IQR = 11–14.75; p < 0.001), which corresponds to clinically significant manifestations of anxiety. On the depression subscale (HADS-D), the median level was 13 points (Me = 13; IQR = 10–13; p < 0.001), indicating the presence of clinically significant manifestations of depression. Conclusions. There is a statistically significant positive correlation between the levels of anxiety and depression (r ≈ 0.7): an increase in anxiety is accompanied by an increase in depressive symptoms. This confirms the presence of comorbidity of anxietydepressive states among volunteers operating in conditions of war