OVERCOMING THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF ANXIETY AMONG UKRAINIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS DURING THE WAR

Abstract

The effect on the general public's mental health is among the gravest effects of war. Prolonged stress has detrimental effects, one of which is a rise in anxiety. Students are one of the social groups that are most at risk in this regard. 96 % of Ukrainian university students, who were subjects to a Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory during the war, exhibited high trait anxiety, which led us to the conclusion that it was crucial to address the detrimental impacts of high anxiety in academic contexts. The analyses of the effects of anxiety and the most efficient strategies for overcoming it allowed identifying the areas of activity for addressing the detrimental effects of high levels of student anxiety in university settings in war conditions: creation of recommendations by psychologists, with the help of which students can independently diagnose the level of anxiety, monitor situations or triggers that provoke an increase in anxiety, understand the typical ways they react and behave when they become anxious, and choose suitable ways to combat anxiety; patriotic education with an emphasis on each student's understanding their role in society, the formation of an active life position, and engagement in volunteering; team work on collaborative tasks or projects will be beneficial for students who seek solace from anxious thoughts through cognitive techniques and real-world problem solving, as well as those who have a strong need for affiliation and mutual support; engagement in physical activity proved to be protective for anxiety symptoms and disorders and physical inactivity has been found to pose a risk for the emergence of anxiety as well as for other conditions like depression. Sporting events, the active work of sports departments and clubs, quick hikes or trips to learn about local history, civil safety events organized by higher educational institutions can be very helpful; implementation of healthy lifestyle principles, the acquisition of time management skills will help students to organize their daily routine. Free time management deserves special attention; the development of interpersonal communication skills will help students with high anxiety in overcoming a variety of communication barriers (cultural, gender, physical, emotional, perceptual, and interpersonal).