Psychometric Properties of the Method "Evaluation of Negative Mental Reactions and States of Combatants" and Experience of its Application in Short-term Psychological Recovery

Abstract

"The article shows the development of the method of psychological evaluation called “Evaluation of Negative Mental Reactions and States of Combatants”. In the study participated 1300 male servicemen (29.84% from junior lieutenant to colonel and servicemen under contract and demobilized, and 70.16% from private to senior warrant officer). The age of participants varied from 20 to 55 years. The system of evaluation developed consisted of 16 instruments that could help to determine the presence of negative psychological symptoms of servicemen related to their participation in hostilities. The results indicated that the evaluation method developed is a tool that allows determining the presence of negative psychological symptoms related to participation in combat. Likewise, it is a useful and fast method to assess the effectiveness of short-term psychological recovery programs. Unlike existing methods of diagnosing negative mental reactions and states of an individual, which arose after their participation in hostilities, the developed psychodiagnostic toolkit could consider the physical and mental fatigue of the respondents, their deterioration, and other cognitive dysfunctions."