Correlation Between Time Perspective and Defense Mechanisms of Ukrainian Students During the War

Abstract

Aim. The article is aimed at proving the hypothesis that there are significant correlations between the defense mechanisms and the perception of time perspective in young people under the conditions of war. Methods. The study was held in May 2022 with the involvement of students who were relocated to the west of Ukraine from the eastern regions due to active hostilities. The following research methods were used: survey; psychological testing (Life Style Index, Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory); statistic analysis. Results. The study shows that the most common defense mechanisms of young people during the war are: repression, projection and displacement. At the same time, men use the defense mechanism of projection more often than women, and women are more prone to regression. It is determined that young people during the war are the least oriented towards the future. Also, there are very few who would perceive the past negatively. Conclusion. The data obtained during the research indicate the need to develop a program of psychological support for young people during the war, which would allow: to develop awareness of one's own experiences, defense mechanisms, ways of ecologically living through traumatic experience; to form a healthier attitude to time, which would include planning for the future at least for the short term and would contribute to increasing motivation for life and self-development.