Psychological Defenses of Students in the Implementation of Coping Strategies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32999/2663-970X/2026-15-2Keywords:
coping strategies, academic stress, distress, motivation, educational and professional competencies, adaptation, neuropsychiatric tension, tension statesAbstract
Aim. To determine the relationship between the levels of actualization of psychological defens- es and students' choices of various coping strat- egies in conditions of intense stressors. It is as- sumed that for students who are passionate about the learning process and motivated to success- fully master educational and professional com- petencies and develop skills and abilities, the ac- tualization of psychological defenses in stressful conditions inhibit the necessary focus on solving various problems and help to avoid problem situ- ations. Methods. The study involved 83 bachelor’s and master’s degree students aged min = 18 to max = 39 years. All respondents consented to the survey. The sample was created randomly. Three valid and reliable psychodiagnostic instruments were used, which were adapted to the Ukrainian sample: the questionnaire “Lemour-Tessier-Fil- lion Psychological Stress Scale (PSM-25)” (O. Shte- pa); the “Lifestyle Index” method (G. Kellerman, R. Plutchyk, H. Conte); and “Coping Strategies Indicator” (CSI) (D. Amirkhan). Results. It was established that respondents under stress, when choosing coping strategies, are mostly oriented towards problem-solving strategies (medium to high levels) and least inclined to avoid problem situations (low levels of expression). It was found that respondents with heightened stress-induced mental tension, mainly at the average level of ex- pression, have an increased tendency to choose a coping strategy oriented towards avoidance, along with increased activation of such psychological defenses as regression, substitution, projection, compensation, and rationalization. Discussion and conclusions. It is substantiated that in stu- dents with increased stressogenic mental tension, mainly at an average level of severity, a noticeable strengthening of psychological defenses in the ad- aptation process is observed, which, with a high probability, provides sufficient support for the integrity of the mental organization and does not significantly hinder an adequate response to cur- rent threats and challenges.
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