RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The research presented in this paper concerns the psychological situation of civilian citizens of Ukraine following the attack of Russia on this country in 2022. The study looked at Ukrainian citizens who remained in their home country despite the hostilities, as well as refugees in Poland, Slovakia and Germany. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: The main objectives of the exploration were to find out to what extent these individuals responded to war threats with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and post-traumatic growth (PTG) and to determine the importance of attachment styles. Answers were sought to the questions of the differences between a group of war refu‑gees from Ukraine and a group of Ukrainian nationals who remained in their homeland in terms of the severity of threats, PTSD, the level of post-traumatic growth and the intensity of the individual attachment styles. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: A situation of war implies an accumulation of a number of various threats accompanied by traumatic experi‑ences related to factors that are both directly and indirectly dangerous to the individual. Civilian victims of war commonly experience frustration of basic psychological needs which can lead to PTSD and the posttraumatic growth. RESEARCH RESULTS: The severity of war-related threats was a predic‑tor of PTSD for the respondents as it predicts variability in PTG scores, either directly positively or indirectly negatively through avoidant attachment style. War-related traumatic experiences may impair secure attachment styles and strengthen insecure styles. There were significant differences between the group of civilians who remained in Ukraine and that of refugees. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS:The both groups of Ukrainian nationals in the survey experienced elevated levels of post-traumatic stress syndrome. Thus, they often require specialised therapeutic help in coping with PTSD in addition to the assistance they receive in adapting to life abroad.
Aim of the study: Extending the biomedical model, increasing attention has been directed toward the psychological determinants of seasickness. The present study examined whether, among sailors, threat appraisal is associated with an increased frequency of seasickness symptoms and lower self-efficacy. Furthermore, the study investigated whether self-efficacy mediates the relationship between threat appraisal and symptom frequency. Subject or material and methods: A total of 312 sailors (55.8% female; M age = 39.46 years, SD = 11.57; age range: 16–74) completed self-report measures of stress appraisal, domain-specific self-efficacy, and seasickness symptoms. Results: Threat appraisal, lower self-efficacy, female gender, and younger age were all significantly associated with a higher frequency of seasickness symptoms. Mediation analyses indicated that the relationship between threat appraisal and symptom frequency was partially accounted for by reduced self-efficacy. Discussion: These findings underscore the importance of psychological factors in the experience of seasickness. Interventions targeting maladaptive stress appraisal and enhancing self-efficacy may represent promising avenues for reducing symptom burden. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of psychological factors in the experience of seasickness. Interventions targeting maladaptive stress appraisal and enhancing self-efficacy may represent promising avenues for reducing symptom burden.
Dialogical Self Mapping is a method grounded in Dialogical Self Theory,which views identity as made up of multiple internal I-positions that interactdynamically, sometimes in conflict. It offers an idiographic, visual tool forrecognizing these positions and their relationships, as the individual createsa subjectively organized map of the dialogical self on a circle. The procedureinvolves four stages: introducing I-positions as internal voices, identifyingand placing them on the circle, mapping their relationships, and engaging inmeta-reflection on the overall configuration and its effect on identity. Theprocess takes about 30 minutes and can be done individually or in groups.The article also compares this method with other approaches to identityresearch, highlighting its specificity as an idiographic, dialogically orientedtool. It provides detailed instructions for practical application and interpreta-tion of results, illustrated through three case studies. The graphic and meta-phorical nature of the method makes internal dynamics more accessible andencourages a more conscious and integrated approach to one’s sense of self.
The primary aim of this article is to provide a general analysis of the forms of advertising and promotion of Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato si’ available in Polish-language media. The study focuses on a review of various methods used to promote the papal document. It considers both simple, traditional forms of promotion, such as cover advertisements displayed on publishers’ websites, and more advanced multimedia advertising as well as campaigns conducted as part of broader promotional strategies. The analysis identifies contemporary trends related to media convergence, the use of storytelling, and the blending of traditional and emerging promotional formats. This study is intended as a preliminary contribution to the field and does not constitute an example of empirical quantitative research. The analysis draws on online sources, including websites, publishing catalogues, and library catalogues. The choice of topic is justified by the absence of previous studies examining this particular encyclical from the perspective of its promotion and advertising. The article addresses questions concerning the types of advertising and promotional forms employed in disseminating the encyclical, as well as the role of Polish publishers between 2015 and 2025. These promotional activities frequently extended beyond the traditional understanding of publishing advertising. The study also discusses advertising campaigns, media and social discourses, and academic initiatives undertaken within the framework of Laudato si’ Week, together with the extensive interdisciplinary scholarship devoted to the encyclical. Catholic media – including the press, radio, and online platforms – played a significant role in disseminating the message of Laudato si’. Promotional campaigns also provided opportunities for audiences to learn more about social movements, communities, and environmental projects inspired by and referring to the document.
Introduction: Forced migration exposes civilians to multiple potentially traumatic events. Personality traits may shape individual differences in adjustment, yet their role in refugee populations remains underexplored.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 160 Ukrainian civilian refugees (75% female; Mage = 33.0, SD = 13.9) who completed standardized measures of personality, attachment, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and posttraumatic growth (PTG).
Results: Emotional Stability showed a large negative association with PTSD symptoms. In regression models, personality traits explained 26% of the variance in PTSD symptoms, increasing to 30% when attachment styles were included. By contrast, traits explained only 6% of variance in posttraumatic growth, rising to 9% after accounting for parental-closeness variables.
Conclusions: Emotional Stability is a robust correlate of PTSD severity in this refugee sample, while personality and attachment play a limited role in posttraumatic growth. These findings suggest that trait-informed screening may help identify individuals at risk for severe posttraumatic distress.
