Prospects for promotion psychohygiene practices during war time
Abstract
One of the challenges during wartime is the preservation of human health, including psychological well-being. A healthy lifestyle, particularly through psychohygiene practices, presents an effective approach to addressing this issue. This study aimed to examine the use of psychohygiene practices among Ukrainians and to develop strategies for their promotion. A survey was conducted to explore daily psychohygiene practices (basic – physical and mental, and derivative –communicative, informational, recreational). The findings revealed a critical deficiency in most psychohygiene practices, with less than a third of respondents engaging in them regularly. Mental psychohygiene practices were the least utilised (practised by fewer than one-tenth of respondents), whereas physical psychohygiene practices were the most common (practised by one to two-thirds of respondents). Statistically significant gender differences were identified across all five groups of psychohygiene practices, with the exception of motor activities, maintaining a personal diary, trusting close communication, and reliance on information sources such as television and the Internet. Promoting psychohygiene requires both trauma-sensitive and gender-sensitive approaches. To address the scarcity of psychohygiene practices, three key strategies were developed. Cultural and organisational strategy focuses on integrating psychohygiene practices into the cultural landscape and promoting psychoeducational programmes within state organisations and educational institutions. Territorial and community strategy targets promotion within local communities, taking into account subcultural nuances and the involvement of public organisations. Routine and personal promotion strategy involves establishing systems of social support and psychological assistance to help individuals develop personalised psychohygiene routines and transform daily habits. A comprehensive approach to promoting psychohygiene is expected to alleviate its scarcity, enhance the psychological and physical health of the population, and contribute to the overall well-being of citizens
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