APPLICATION OF QUALITATIVE METHODS TO STUDY THE TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE OF MARIUPOL STUDENT VOLUNTEERS DURING THE WAR

Abstract

The article analyzes the experience of using qualitative methods of collecting sociological information to preserve, systematize and disseminate the experience of student youth of the city of Mariupol, who during the war and occupation of the city took an active social position and provided social assistance and support to civilian residents of the city, engaged in volunteer activities. The purpose of the study was to consider the possibilities of applying qualitative methods of sociological research during the study of socially significant practices of social work and volunteering in complex extreme situations (on the example of the traumatic experience of Mariupol student volunteers during the war). The peculiarities of the analysis of electronic diaries submitted by the authors for participation in the social competition as a means of obtaining high-quality sociological information are considered. The article is based on materials from e-diaries submitted for participation in the «Volunteer Heart of Mariupol» competition. The purpose of the Competition is to collect and preserve the stories of volunteer students who lived and studied in the city of Mariupol before the war, now have been forced to move to another city of Ukraine or abroad, and continue to selflessly help others, carry out volunteer initiatives and bring the Victory of Ukraine closer. The competition was held in January 2023 among Mariupol students. Volunteering is considered as a type of socially significant activity, a means of personal response to being in an extreme situation, which, above all, helped student youth to overcome stress and start looking for internal stability, stability in an extreme situation through helping others. The model of students' behavior after leaving the zone of active hostilities and evacuation, related to the activation of volunteer activities, was also considered.