THE ROLE OF THE MEANING OF LIFE AND SPIRITUAL POTENTIAL AS A FACTOR IN THE PSYCHOLOGICAL RESILIENCE OF YOUTH DURING THE WAR

Abstract

In the current conditions of war, the issue of finding internal spiritual and meaning-related resources that help young military personnel maintain psychological balance, resilience, and the ability to act effectively in extreme situations becomes especially relevant. The article examines the theoretical foundations of understanding the phenomena of life meaning and spiritual potential as key factors of psychological resilience among young soldiers. It is emphasized that spiritual potential serves as the basis for meaning-making, inner strength, moral stability, and the ability to find significance in the challenges of war and the post-war period. The paper presents the results of a theoretical and empirical analysis conducted among young military personnel aged 18–35 who are fulfilling their duties during wartime. The research employed standardized psychodiagnostic methods, including the adapted version of Leontiev’s Life-Purpose Orientations Test, Maddi’s Hardiness Test (adapted by D. A. Leontiev), and the Connor– Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10). The findings indicate that a high level of awareness of life meaning, value-based orientation toward service, and a well-developed spiritual potential significantly strengthen indicators of resilience, responsibility, self-control, and constructive coping with stressful situations. Thus, life meaning and spiritual potential act as key factors of psychological resilience in young military personnel during wartime, forming an inner foundation, a sense of purpose, and faith in the significance of their actions. A promising direction for further research is the development of psychological preventive programs for military personnel aimed at cultivating spiritual and meaning-related resources and fostering resilience in the context of combat and post-traumatic challenges.