PILOT (PRELIMINARY) EXPLORATORY STUDY ON AGE-RELATED FACTORS AND DYNAMICS OF PSYCHO-EMOTIONAL PSYCHO-EMOTIONAL STATE AMONG NEWLY ASSIGNED MILITARY PERSONNEL DURING INITIAL INTEGRATION INTO MILITARY SERVICE

Abstract

The study was conducted at one of the Training Centers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which provides personnel training to perform military service tasks. This article presents the results of research on the psycho-emotional state of servicemen during the implementation of the Comprehensive Program of Adaptation to the Conditions of Military Service and the Basic Combat Training (BCT). For the study, short forms of the questionnaires “Perceived Stress Scale” (PSS-10) and “Brief Resilient Coping Scale” (BRCS) were used, which allow for the description of the overall level of perceived stress and its potential consequences, components of perceived helplessness and lack of self-efficacy, as well as the general level of readiness to cope with stress. Additionally, a questionnaire on adaptation to military service was applied, which makes it possible to describe specific factors of adjustment to service tasks and relationships with colleagues. Measurements were carried out twice: at the beginning of the Comprehensive Adaptation Program and in the final quarter of BCT. The study was conducted from June to October 2025. Inclusion criteria for participation in the study were being aged 25 to 60 years and undergoing the BGMT course for the first time. The analysis of the data obtained was based on comparing indicators of perceived stress and stress coping among respondents grouped by age. Respondents demonstrated a medium level of overall perceived stress (in terms of perceived helplessness and lack of self-efficacy) and a medium level of coping ability. The dynamics of both indicators throughout Adaptation and BGMT are minor, with statistically significant changes observed only in the older age group. In the groups aged 25–34 and 35–44 years, a tendency toward an inverse relationship between perceived stress and stress coping was observed. Statistically significant correlations were found between stress coping and adaptation to military service. The highest adaptation scores were found in the criteria of adaptation in relationships with colleagues/commanders and professional expectations.