MAIN PSYCHOLOGICAL AND CHARACTEROLOGICAL FEATURES OF FORCED MIGRANTS: THE THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

Abstract

The article presents an up-to-date study of the psychological characteristics of Ukrainian forced migrants, which are fundamentally different from previous waves of migration, since the nature of adaptation has changed significantly after introduction of the 2001 Directive on mass forced migration. On the one hand, Ukrainians had an opportunity to adapt faster due to the rapid legalization of their stay, which was confirmed by a high employment level of the respondents. On the other one, the emphasis on the temporary nature of asylum causes uncertainty, fear of the future, uncertain prospects and also reduces motivation for adaptation. We determined that the nature of forced migration had a negative prolonged influence on a migrant's personality, hindering adaptation and well-being. The main aspects of forced migration were highlighted; adaptation in this case went harder than that at other types of migration due to migrants' negative attitudes towards integration into a new country and a feeling of being expelled from one's own country. Forced migrants obtained a new status and believed in the temporary nature of their protection, which caused a breach in their own identity, a sense of uncertainty and indeterminacy. Emphasis is placed on the nature of interactions with the host society, which are interdependent so that an attitude towards a migrant is loyal if he/she adapts and quickly becomes independent. Refugees go through a number of difficult life situations, which is inevitably reflected on their psyche in the forms of culture shock, traumatization, identity crisis and even personal marginalization. Emotional overload provokes many negative manifestations: closed-mindedness, sensitivity to public opinion, defensive position, irritability, cognitive impairment, maladjustment.