Рeculiarities of psychological assistance to children in war conditions

Abstract

The article presents the results of scientific sources’ analysis, empirical research data and the results of practical work with children affected by military events. In addition, it is identified how parents’ psycho-emotional balance influence their children’s state; type of reaction to stress and parents’ successfulness in overcoming crisis situations  affects their children's ability to overcome life's challenges. The specifics of providing psychological assistance to children in the war and post-war conditions are outlined. There were determined the necessity of accountancy for such family factors in the process of providing psychological help to aggrieved children like: parents’ psycho-emotional state; level of openness, dependency, reliability, predictability, the level of closeness in the family circle; dominant reactions of significant adults to their own stress and that experienced by the child. The main components of crisis assistance and psychological support provided to emotionally damaged children have been identified. The restoration stages of the affected by negative stress factors children’s psycho-emotional balance are highlighted: restoring a sense of basic security; activation and hardening of psychological resources; reprocessing of the negative psycho-emotional states; mechanisms of self-recovery’s actualization, adaptation to a new life situation. Differentiated vectors of children's resilience's development: emotional and mental health care, prophylaxis, overcoming symptoms of distress; establishing close relationship with parents, developing a reliable attachment to them; the ability to act efficiently in stressful situations; overcoming alienation, integration into social space, post-traumatic growth.