FEATURES OF WAR VETERANS’ REINTEGRATION INTO PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the peculiarities of war veterans’ reintegration into professional activity under the current socio-economic conditions of Ukraine. It reveals the interrelation between combat experience, emotional state, level of social adaptation, and professional motivation of veterans. The main barriers to successful employment of war veterans are analyzed, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depressive and anxiety symptoms, emotional exhaustion, social isolation, stigmatization, and the mismatch between military skills and the civilian labor market.

The empirical research conducted among 90 Ukrainian veterans (men and women) revealed a significant prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depressive disorders, as well as an average level of social and professional adaptation and a high level of social barriers. Most respondents reported that after leaving military service, they encountered low wages, a limited number of vacancies in their specialty, insufficient experience in the civilian sector, lack of state support, as well as difficulties related to their psycho-emotional state, fatigue, and health problems.

The overall results of the study indicate that the problems of professional reintegration of war veterans are not only individual but also systemic in nature, requiring the development and implementation of comprehensive support programs. The article emphasizes the importance of applying modern socio-psychological technologies, emotional resilience development programs, as well as support groups and mentoring in the field of veterans’ employment. The introduction of such tools into the work of state, public, and volunteer organizations can significantly improve the level of professional integration of war veterans in Ukraine.

The practical significance of the obtained results lies in their potential use by psychologists, social workers, career consultants, employment center specialists, and state institutions that implement support programs for war veterans. The findings can serve as a basis for improving the system of professional adaptation, developing individual career plans, creating psychologically safe workplaces, and enhancing the quality of life of war veterans and their families.