Insight: the psychological dimensions of society

Editor’s Preface

2025-11-19T13:32:43+02:00

Editor’s Preface

Existential Dimensions of Subjective Social Well-Being of the Individual

2025-11-19T16:40:36+02:00

The aim of the study is to explore existential experiences within the structure of an individual's subjective social well-being. It is hypothesized that one of the determinants of subjective social well- being is a sense of existential fulfillment, expressed through self-distancing, self-transcendence, and a striving for freedom and responsibility. Methods.The research is grounded in the principles of existential-humanistic psychology. Subjective social well-being was assessed using the questionnaire “Subjective Social Well-Being” (Danylchenko, 2015). Existential fulfillment was measured using the “Existence Scale” (Längle & Orgler, 2009). The study was conducted using a post-factum design to predict the influence of independent variables on the dependent variable. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using correlation and linear multiple regression methods. Results. The level of existential fulfillment among respondents was diagnosed, and the share of predictors contributing to the formation of their subjective social well-being was determined. The most sensitive dependent variable, reflected in the “Subjective social well- being index” showed the strongest correlation with the predictor “Self-transcendence”. “Freedom” as an indicator of existentiality also proved to be a significant predictor. The least represented component in the structure of subjective social well-being was “Self-distancing”. All predictors of subjective social well-being in the model were statistically significant at p < .010. The surveyed youth demonstrated a low capacity for “self-transcendence”, indicating emotionally impoverished relationships and a pragmatic, functionally oriented mindset. A low score for “freedom” reflected a tendency to avoid decision- making and hesitation due to anxious expectations about potential outcomes. Dependence on affect and bias was expressed through a low level of “self-distancing”. Discussion and conclusions. The study confirmed the hypothesis that existential experiences are fundamental to the formation of subjective social well-being. Using multiple regression analysis, the influence of self- distancing, self-transcendence, and freedom on the emergence of subjective social well-being was predicted. Exploring the relationship between subjective social well-being and personal qualities within a Ukrainian sample presents a promising direction for further empirical research in this area.

A Narrative Study of the Impact of Digital Leadership Training on the Learning Motivation of Engineering Students

2025-11-19T16:42:25+02:00

The purpose of this study was to explore engineering students’ perspectives on the impact of digital transformation leadership training and its relationship to learning motivation. Methods.
This study employed qualitative methods to explore participants’ experiences, perspectives, and behaviors within the context of the digital leadership training they participated in. Data collection techniques included semi-structured interviews with three civil engineering students, three electrical engineering students, and three mechanical engineering students who participated in the digital leadership training. The results, reviewed from the engineering students’ perspectives, revealed four main themes. These themes included digital simulation as a means of career preparation, active and collaborative participation in training that encourages digital skills enhancement, synergy with the industrial world as a platform for developing work competencies, and training that encourages creativity and innovation to address the challenges of the workplace. Discussion and conclusions. Based on the findings from the engineering students’ perspectives, several conclusions can be drawn. Digital simulation is effective for strengthening career readiness. Active and collaborative participation in training contributes to improving digital skills. Furthermore, the synergy between education and industry is crucial for developing work competencies. Finally, training that emphasizes creativity and innovation is key to adapting to the challenges of today’s dynamic work environment. This conclusion highlights that designing training programs to be contextual, collaborative, and industry-based is essential for effectively enhancing the work readiness of the younger generation. Such an approach ensures that students not only acquire theoretical knowledge but also develop practical competencies and soft skills that are directly applicable to the modern workplace. Suggestions for future research are to analyze the driving and inhibiting factors of student learning motivation based on these four themes to strengthen the design and implementation of training programs, so as to increase the readiness of engineering students to face the dynamics of industrial needs in the era of digital transformation.

Psychological Well-Being of Young Athletes as a Condition for Further Career Development

2025-11-19T14:54:34+02:00

The aim of this study was to assess differences in the structure of psychological well-being of students of different sports specializations. This comparative analysis addresses a gap in current research by examining athletes in individu al combat sports (boxing, wrestling) and a team sport (hockey). Methods. The study involved 84 1st year students of the Academy of Physical Education and Mass Sports (Astana, Kazakhstan) in the specialties of “boxing” (28 people), “freestyle wrestling” (28 people), and “hockey” (28 people). Psychological well-being was measured using a modified version of K. Ryff’s Scales, which assesses six key dimensions. For correlation analysis, academic performance and career success were determined using document analysis and expert assessment. Results. Two significant differences were identified between student-wrestlers and student-boxers in the parameters of openness to new experiences (U = 305; p = .02) and personal growth (U = 332; p = .03). The study also revealed significant differences between student-hockeytive relationships with others (U = 321; p = .04) and autonomy (U = 312; p = .03). Statistical analysis also revealed significant differences between student-boxers and student-hockey players regarding positive relationships with others (U = 122; p = .04), openness to new experiences (U = 302; p = .02), and autonomy (U = 218; p = .02). The study confirmed a correlation between athletes’ psychological well-being and their academic performance, as well as their success in a sports career. Discussion and Сonclusions. On average, all indicators across the groups fell within the normal range; however, a third of the respondents showed a low level of the PW index and emotional balance. The study confirmed that the structure of personal psychological well-being among students involved in different sports disciplines has specific features. This may be useful for further work on students' psychological well-being. However, these differences proved to be insignificant when examining the relationship between psychological well-being and academic performance or career success.
players and student-wrestlers in terms of posi

Comparative Study of the Emotional Burnout of Police Officers in Wartime Conditions

2025-11-19T13:49:18+02:00

The aim of the study is to provide a comparative analysis of the emotional burnout of police officers in wartime conditions, considering differences in gender, the duration of service, and the specific nature of police units. Methods. To this end, the ‘Diagnosis of Emotional Burnout’ methodology (Maksymenko et al., 2006) was used, which made it possible to assess the level of emotional burnout of police officers. The methodology assessed three phases of emotional burnout: tension, resistance, and exhaustion. The study sample included n = 186 police officers, differentiated by gender (men – n = 120, women – n = 66), the duration of service (less than 10 years – n = 60, 11–20 years – n = 70, more than 21 years – n = 56), and by unit type (patrol police officers – n = 120, criminal police – n = 66). Results. The study revealed that the level of emotional burnout among police officers partially depended on work experience, gender, and the specifics of the unit. Women demonstrated higher levels of emotional stress, anxiety, depression, and psychosomatic symptoms, while men showed greater selfriticism and dissatisfaction with themselves. Police officers with less experience (up to 10 years) tend to show increased displays of psycho-emotional stress, in particular anxiety and symptoms of psychological exhaustion. However, no statistically significant differences between the groups were found for these indicators. At the same time, significant differences in terms of work experience were found only on the depersonalization scale, where more experienced employees (over 21 years of service) have lower scores, which may indicate better adaptation to professional challenges. The specific nature of the unit's work also affects the level of burnout: criminal police officers who work with extremely traumatic situations (exhumation) experience greater emotional stress than patrol police officers. Conclusions. The study confirmed that emotional burnout is a significant psychological risk for police officers in martial law conditions, caused by high levels of stress and the specific nature of the service. It was found that gender differentiation and the specifics of the unit have a more pronounced effect on the level of burnout than the duration of professional service, the latter having a significant effect only on the level of depersonalization. The obtained results emphasize the need to develop differentiated psychological support strategies, in particular for young employees and those working in psychologically traumatic conditions, as well as to implement programs for developing stress resis- tance and emotional resilience.

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for Treatment- Resistant Depression with Comorbid Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans

2025-11-19T14:55:36+02:00

The aim of the study was to evaluate the practice of using ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAT) in accordance with international clinical guidelines at the State Institution “Center for Mental Health and Veterans’ Rehabilitation ‘Lisova Polyana’ of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine” (Ukraine). Adapting the international clinical guidelines on ketamine therapy for treatment- resistant depression within the Ukrainian medical system in the context of war was the main focus of the study. Methods. The study had an open- label, non-blinded naturalistic design with a single group of participants (n = 27). The sample included veterans with confirmed treatment- resistant depression (TRD) and PTSD symptoms.
The KAT course consisted of 1–4 ketamine infusions at doses of 0.5–1.0 mg/kg of body weight, accompanied by preparatory and integration psychotherapy sessions. Symptom dynamics were assessed using the “PHQ-9” (Kroenke et al., 2001), “BDI” (Beck et al., 1996), and “PCL-M” (Weathers et al., 1993) questionnaires. Psychodiagnostics were performed before treatment, after treatment, and one month after treatment. Nonparametric statistical methods (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Spearman’s correlation coefficient, Hedges’ g) and correlational analysis were applied to explore relationships between outcomes and other variables. Results. The majority of participants demonstrated a significant reduction in depression symptoms (PHQ-9: p < .001, g = 1.31; BDI: p < .001, g = 1.20) and PTSD symptoms (PCL-M: p < .001, g = 1.10). More than 50.00% of participants achieved either substantial clinical improvement or remission. In 22.00–26.00% of participants, symptoms remained unchanged or slightly worsened, underscoring the need for an individualized treatment approach. The positive therapeutic effect persisted for at least one month after completion of treatment. While no correlation was found between KAT outcomes and participants’ age or the therapist’s personality, baseline symptom severity moderately correlated with effect size. Conclusions. The findings indicate high effectiveness of KAT as an innovative approach for treating resistant mental disorders in veterans. Combining pharmacological and psychotherapeutic components demonstrates significant potential for integration into Ukraine’s mental health system. However, the results require confirmation in larger samples and controlled experimental studies. The proposed therapeutic model could serve as a foundation for improving national clinical guidelines for the treatment of PTSD and depression among veterans.

Post-Traumatic Recovery Using the Korpan Salt Mask

2025-11-19T15:15:15+02:00

The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of the Korpan salt therapy mask combined with structured psychotherapeutic support for individuals affected by the war in Ukraine and presenting with symptoms of acute stress disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety. Methods. The study was grounded in an integrative, trauma-informed theoretical model that incorporates psychophysiological, psychological, and clinical approaches. It employed a mixed-methods design with both quantitative and qualitative data collection. The sample comprised 57 participants (27 adults and 30 children, predominantly internally displaced persons) who, over two-weeks, used the Korpan mask daily in combination with psychotherapy encompassing four stages: psychophysiological stabilization, emotional balance regulation, cognitive process restoration, and the development of constructive coping strategies. Quantitative assessment was conducted using the PSQI, HADS-A/D, PTSD Diagnostic Scale, and KM-SABS; qualitative data were obtained through semi- structured interviews and parent questionnaires for children. Results showed statistically significant improvements across all key indicators: an increase in parasympathetic dominance on the KM-SABS (+2.37; p < 0.01; r = 0.56), reductions in PTSD symptom severity (−2.11; p < 0.01; r = 0.65), anxiety (−5.30; p < 0.001; r = 0.68), and PSQI sleep disturbance scores (−3.30; p < 0.01; r = 0.56). Thematic analysis revealed four core recovery themes: physiological stabilization and improved sleep, reduced hyperarousal, enhanced emotional regulation and social interaction, and decreased trauma-related play and avoidance behavior. The synergy of sensory modulation, parasympathetic nervous system activation, and psychotherapy facilitated more rapid reduction of psychophysiological tension, easier engagement in the therapeutic process, and increased emotional resilience. Discussion and Conclusions. The use of the Korpan mask in combination with psychotherapeutic support represents a promising, accessible, and non-invasive tool for supporting mental health in low-resource and humanitarian crisis settings. The findings support the need for further large-scale controlled studies to confirm its effectiveness, explore long-term outcomes, and integrate this approach into multimodal trauma-informed care programs.

Impact of Perceived Empathic Self-Efficacy on Perceived Social Self-Efficacy: a Cross-Sectional Study Among Prospective Health Workers

2025-11-19T15:14:15+02:00

In order to be successful in business life, emotional characteristics are also needed in addition to the specific physical characteristics required from employees. The empathic and social self-efficacy levels of healthcare professionals are important for job success in healthcare organizations. A highly empathic and social self-efficacy healthcare professional will deliver effective service by establishing good communication and approaching the patient by understanding their conditions. Similarly, since the emotional awareness of a healthcare professional with a high level of empathic and social self-efficacy will be high, coordination with colleagues will be easy. This study aims to measure the empathic and social self-efficacy perceptions that reveal the humanistic skills of students receiving education in the healthcare field and to create a resource by revealing the relationship between them. In this way, delivering health services, which is a team effort, will be easier and more harmonious, and the service’s success will increase. Methods. For the current study, a survey was applied to 374 healthcare professional candidates. The research objective was achieved by utilizing the “Perceived Empathic Self-efficacy and Social Self-efficacy Scale” as the primary assessment instrument. The data obtained in the study were analyzed using SPSS and LISREL programs. Results. Based on the findings, a positive and moderate relationship (r=0.58) was observed between perceived empathic and social self-efficacy. It is seen that empathic self-efficacy and social self-efficacy perceived by health worker candidates do not differ according to gender, class, and age variables. Discussion and Conclusions. Perceived empathic self-efficacy positively affects perceived social self-efficacy. It is seen that perceived empathic self-efficacy explains approximately 34% of the change in perceived social self-efficacy. Future research should expand on the relationship between empathy and social self-efficacy by including diverse professional groups and additional variables, such as emotion blindness or emotional intelligence. This will provide a deeper understanding of how these factors contribute to professional success.