The role of coping strategies in differentiating levels of posttraumatic growth during wartime among Ukrainian psychologists

Abstract

The role of psychological resources such as coping strategies in dealing with trauma is an important area of research, particularly within high-stress professional groups like practicing psychologists during wartime. The aim of this study was to examine the interrelations between coping strategies, resilience, self-efficacy, and posttraumatic growth (PTG) among psychologists as well as to identify which psychological factors serve as significant determinants for high versus low levels of PTG. The study utilized a set of psychodiagnostic tools, including the Coping Strategies Inventory (CSI), the Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), the Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-X). The sample consisted of 214 ukrainian practicing psychologists. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statictics, correlation and discriminant analysis. It was found that resilience and self-efficacy are positively correlated with PTG. The coping strategies of cognitive restructuring, emotional expression, social support-seeking, and problem avoidance also showed positive correlations with PTG. Problem-solving coping did not correlate with PTG. Discriminant analysis revealed a significant model capable of distinguishing between high and low PTG profiles. The high-PTG profile was primarily associated with a combination of resilience and coping strategies focused on cognitive restructuring, seeking social support, and problem avoidance, while the low-PTG profile was exclusively linked to a problemsolving orientation. The findings demonstrate that PTG is not a direct result of problemsolving abilities, which may be ineffective especially in the crisis conditions. Problem avoidance strategies could serve as a temporary defensive mechanism to cope with the warrelated trauma.