Research on military physicians resilience: integration of interviews, projective analysis, and the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17721/BPSY.2025.2(22).15Keywords:
military physicians, resilience, psychological stability, emotional regulation strategies, professional burnout, adaptive resources, military operations, stressAbstract
Background. It is emphasized that the current realities of war require military physicians to possess exceptional psychological resilience, professional reliability, and the ability to adapt quickly under constant threat, uncertainty, and heightened emotional stress. In this context, resilience is of particular relevance as an integrative personality trait that ensures the ability to restore functional balance, counteract the destructive effects of stress, and maintain productivity in extreme conditions.
The relevance of the study is determined by the need for a scientific rationale of the psychological features of resilience development in military physicians under war conditions.
Methods. The study employed an integrated approach combining interviews, the projective method "Do Not Let the Person Fall," and the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD–RISC–25), which allows for the identification of structural, emotional-motivational, and cognitive-volitional components of resilience. The sample included 80 military physicians of varying ages and service experience.
Results. It was found that resilience in military physicians develops as a complex psychological system, in which social support, professional experience, and level of engagement in combat operations play a leading role. A high level of social support was significantly correlated with elevated indicators of emotional stability, self-efficacy, and internal control. Military physicians with longer service experience and extended exposure in combat zones demonstrated a higher capacity for self-regulation and recovery after stressful events, indicating the development of adaptive resilience mechanisms. The obtained data confirm that resilience in military physicians represents a multi-level psychological phenomenon, integrating individual-personal, emotional-volitional, and meaningful resources that ensure effective adaptation to extreme professional conditions.
Conclusions. The individual experience of military physicians and their strategies for maintaining psychological well-being in combat conditions were examined. It was established that the majority of respondents employ emotional regulation, professional self-education, and collective interaction as key mechanisms for adapting to stressors characteristic of military medical service. At the same time, prolonged exposure near the front line increases the risk of emotional exhaustion and professional burnout, highlighting the need for systematic psychological support and targeted development of adaptive resources in military physicians.
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