Features of post-traumatic stress disorder in individuals exposed to psychotraumatic factors on emergency situations
- Authors: Ivanova P.E.1, Nefedova D.S.1, Mekhantyeva L.E.1, Sklyarova T.P.1
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Affiliations:
- Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University
- Issue: Vol 15 (2026): Материалы XXII Международного Бурденковского научного Конгресса, 23–25 апреля 2026 года, г. Воронеж
- Pages: 116-117
- Section: Военная и экстремальная медицина
- URL: https://new.vestnik-surgery.com/index.php/2415-7805/article/view/11469
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Abstract
The relevance of the study is due to the high significance of the problem of socio-psychological readaptation of specialists involved in the elimination of the consequences of emergencies and counter-terrorism operations, since the impact of psychotraumatic factors determines the formation of stable maladaptive patterns in the post-extreme period. The aim of this study was to identify early signs of post-traumatic stress disorder in individuals exposed to adverse psychotraumatic factors of an emergency situation. The study involved 31 participants in counter-terrorism operations, with an average age of 35 and an average length of service of 3 years. The psychodiagnostic tools included an author's questionnaire aimed at identifying complaints, characteristics of well-being and reactions, as well as I.O. Kotenev's OTS questionnaire for screening for symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. The study found that 67.7% of respondents had experienced a traumatic situation accompanied by feelings of fear and helplessness, with regular contact with family members having a positive effect on only 45.2% of respondents, while in the remaining cases, support was provided by a medical psychologist. The vast majority of participants (83.9%) consider it necessary to provide continuous qualified psychological assistance directly in the emergency zone. According to the OTS questionnaire, 67.7% of respondents showed isolated, mild symptoms (50–65 TB), 22.6% were diagnosed with partial symptoms of PTSD or acute stress disorder (65–75 TB), and 9.7% had clinically significant symptoms (≥75 TB), with no respondents reporting no symptoms. The results obtained indicate the total nature of the psychological trauma of the surveyed contingent and the need for systematic psychological support at all stages of professional activity, while the identified lack of family support highlights the role of the medical psychologist as a key resource for maintaining the mental health of specialists in extreme professions.
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Introduction. Relevance of the study of the processes of socio-psychological readaptation of specialists involved in the elimination of the consequences of emergency situations (including natural and man-made disasters, as well as participation in counter-terrorist operations and local armed conflicts)[1] The impact of a complex of psycho-traumatic factors characteristic of an emergency situation determines the formation of stable maladaptive patterns in a person, which in the post-extreme period act as predictors of violations of social functioning in the conditions of everyday life.
Purpose of work. Early detection of signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in individuals exposed to adverse psycho-traumatic factors of an emergency.
Research materials and methods. The survey involved 31 people: participants in counter-terrorist operations. The average age is 35 years, the average length of service is 3 years. We have developed a questionnaire regarding complaints, well-being, response features. In addition to the questionnaire, the questionnaire "Traumatic Stress Questionnaire" by I.O. Kotenev was used for screening diagnosis of PTSD symptoms. [2] This method is validated for representatives of "dangerous professions" and allows diagnosing both individual symptoms and clinically pronounced forms of post-stress disorders. [3]
Study results. After calculating the results of the survey, it was revealed that 67.7% of respondents experienced a traumatic situation accompanied by emotions of fear and helplessness, of which 14 people noted the presence of subjectively perceived support. Regular contact with family members had a positive impact on 45.2% of respondents, in other cases the support was provided by a medical psychologist. In total, 84% of respondents consider it necessary to continuously provide qualified psychological assistance in an emergency zone. Indicators obtained on the basis of the OTS questionnaire of I.O. Kotenev were divided into four intervals of T-scores, reflecting the presence and severity of post-traumatic stress symptoms:
- individual slightly pronounced symptoms (50-65 TB) - 21 people;
- partial symptoms of PTSD or OCR (65-75 TB) - 7 people;
- clinically pronounced symptoms of PTSD or OCR (≥ 75 TB) - 3 people;
- no symptoms (≤ 50 TB) were detected.
Conclusion. Based on the comparative analysis, the following conclusions were made: The examined contingent is diagnosed with subclinical manifestations of post-traumatic stress, characterized by a low degree of severity. The identified symptoms determine the feasibility of annual screening and the implementation of preventive (restorative) measures aimed at leveling the risks of the progressive course of PTSD and the formation of psychosomatic pathology. [1] The study convincingly proves the high importance of systemic psychological support for specialists exposed to psycho-traumatic factors of emergency situations. [4] It was found that a medical psychologist performs a key compensatory function in conditions of a shortage of family and social support, acting as a significant resource for maintaining mental health. The data obtained justify the need to integrate psychological assistance into the structure of medical and psychological support at all stages: from the moment of being in the emergency zone to the post-extreme period of readaptation. Timely and continuous psychological support should be considered not only as a therapeutic measure, but also as the most important factor in the primary prevention of progressive forms of post-traumatic stress disorder and the preservation of professional longevity of specialists of an extreme profile.
About the authors
Polina Evgenievna Ivanova
Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University
Email: Poliv1303@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4485-3374
SPIN-code: 3793-3810
https://vk.com/polkaiva
student
Russian Federation, 10 Studenchskaya Street, 394036, Voronezh, Russian FederationDarya Sergeevna Nefedova
Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University
Email: nefedova_darya26@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8456-7607
SPIN-code: 5780-2214
https://vk.com/id157819458
student
Russian Federation, 10 Studenchskaya Street, 394036, Voronezh, Russian FederationLyudmila Evgenievna Mekhantyeva
Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University
Email: medkat@vrngmu.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2439-3625
SPIN-code: 6735-7330
https://vrngmu.ru/academy/structure/personnel/mobilizatsionnaya-podgotovka-zdravookhraneniya-i-meditsina-katastrof/
Russian Federation, 10 Studenchskaya Street, 394036, Voronezh, Russian Federation
Tatyana Petrovna Sklyarova
Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University
Author for correspondence.
Email: sklyarovat@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8034-6287
SPIN-code: 7440-1140
https://vrngmu.ru/academy/structure/personnel/mobilizatsionnaya-podgotovka-zdravookhraneniya-i-meditsina-katastrof/
Russian Federation, 10 Studenchskaya Street, 394036, Voronezh, Russian Federation
References
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- Компьютерная психологическая диагностика. Методика: Опросник травматического стресса (ОТС) (И.О. Котенев). – URL: https://cpd-program.ru/methods/dpp.htm
- Александров, Е.О. Опросник травматического стресса / Е.О. Александров, Т.С. Кузнецова, А.А. Кучер, Т.Е. Шапошникова // Возвращение : учеб.-метод. пособие по психологической помощи при посттравматическом стрессовом расстройстве. – [Б.м.], 2002. – С. 49-58.
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