PSYCHOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF WAR VETERANS’ REINTEGRATION INTO CIVILIAN ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The article is devoted to a comprehensive investigation of the psychological mechanisms underlying the successful reintegration of military veterans into civilian life after the completion of combat operations. The study elucidates the processes of restoring internal personal coherence, harmonizing life meanings, and reconstructing a holistic self-concept during the transition from military to civilian functioning. The conducted analysis confirms that reintegration is not limited solely to social adaptation but constitutes a multidimensional process of restoring psychological, emotional, and behavioral integrity. The empirical findings demonstrate that veterans who exhibit high levels of internal locus of control, emotional stability, work capacity, and awareness of their own resources show a markedly higher potential for social and professional integration. Particular emphasis is placed on the mechanisms through which combat experience is processed, traumatic memory is reinterpreted, and temporal perspective is reestablished–factors that together enable the transition from a survival-oriented mindset to a renewed sense of future orientation. At the same time, the study identifies barriers to reintegration associated with social stigma, intrusive traumatic recollections, and discrepancies between military and civilian value systems. It is emphasized that inclusive reintegration requires the creation of conditions in which a veteran not only returns to society but also experiences belonging, support, and opportunities for self-realization. The results have practical significance for developing psychological support and social rehabilitation programs aimed at restoring personal integrity, mental equilibrium, and effective functioning in civilian life.