Dynamics of changes in mental status and personality characteristics of combatants during the 1 year after participation in the anti-terrorist operation

Abstract

The dynamics of mental status changes in personality traits and morbidity was assessed in 40 employees of law enforcement bodies (LEB) within 1 year after participation in the anti-terrorist operation in the Chechen Republic. Presence in a military conflict zone was established to significantly affect physical health and mental well-being of law enforcement officers; as a result, new premorbid personality features are acquired and existing features are modified. In 17.5 % of law enforcement officers negative border-line (non-pathological) consequences of participation in armed conflicts were revealed: signs of psychophysiological fatigue, mental stress, frequent and prolonged morbidity, increased pessimism, impulsivity, rigidity, aggression and nonconformism due to a lack of self-control. They may develop explosive or mixed reactivity, depression, neurotic or psychosomatic disorders, maladjustment. In 45 % of combatants, adaptive (compensating - protective) reactions dominated: suspiciousness, increased caution, sensitivity to danger, emotional coldness, the ability to think analytically based on intuition, minimum information and ignoring emotions; actualization of defense mechanisms of repression, projection and intellectual transformation of anxiety, subjective distancing from what is going on. 37.5 % of law enforcement officers demonstrate an active, rational and practical behavior, determination, courage, ability to unconventional problem solving, good intuition and quick response, wise attitude to life''s problems and optimism despite the traumatic situation.