PSYCHOSOCIAL WORK WITH CHILDREN IN WAR CONDITIONS

Abstract

Introduction. A scientific analysis of the problem of psychosocial work with children in wartime is presented as an integrated process aimed at restoring mental health, stabilizing the emotional state and social adaptation of the child’s personality. The purpose of the study is to scientifically substantiate the theoretical foundations and practical approaches to implementing psychosocial work with children in wartime, aimed at preserving their mental health, forming adaptive mechanisms for overcoming stress and restoring sociopsychological balance. It is emphasized that the full-scale war in Ukraine has led to profound changes in the social and humanitarian space, actualizing the need to rethink approaches to providing psychological and social assistance to children who have experienced traumatic experiences. It is determined that psychosocial support is a complex system that combines psychological, social, pedagogical and legal mechanisms of influence, focused on the formation of internal resources, a sense of security and trust in the social environment. The interdisciplinary nature of the problem under study is revealed, combining the provisions of modern developmental psychology, crisis psychology, social pedagogy and social work. Modern scientific approaches to understanding the phenomena of children’s resilience, post-traumatic stress and social adaptation are analyzed, the experience of Ukrainian and foreign researchers in the field of helping children affected by military conflicts is summarized. Scientific novelty. It is determined that the effectiveness of psychosocial assistance depends on the complex interaction of specialists from different fields – psychologists, social workers, teachers, doctors and human rights activists – based on the principles of humanism, multidisciplinary, individualization and evidencebased practice. The need to create a modern system of psychosocial support that can ensure early detection of signs of psychological trauma, organization of a safe environment, rehabilitation and formation of adaptive mechanisms of children’s behavior is emphasized. It is clarified that psychosocial work should not be considered as a one-time intervention, but as a process of long-term support that integrates elements of counseling, social support and educational influence. The hypothesis that increasing the effectiveness of psychosocial work with children in war conditions is possible under the condition of implementing an integrated approach that combines psychological methods of emotional stabilization with social practices of support and development of social ties is confirmed. It is concluded that psychosocial work is a strategic direction of state social and humanitarian policy aimed at restoring children’s potential, strengthening mental health and building resilience to life’s challenges.