Stigmatisation Problems of Military-Men
Author`s Contribution:
- National Academy of the National Guard of Ukraine, Ukraine
- Kharkiv Regional Public Organization “Culture of Health” (KRPOCH), Ukraine
- Scientific Research Institute KRPOCH, Ukraine
Background and aim of study:
Stigmatisation (Greek stigma – mark, spot) in clinical
psychology – attributing to others (stigmatisers) to
someone certain, most often negative characteristics for
formal reasons because of cultural traditions or politics,
as well as their own psychological complexes.
The aim of the study – to research the causes and justify
trends of stigmatisation of military-men.
Research methods:
The methodology of the research is grounded on the
cognitive-behavioral, sociocultural and systemic
approaches to the study of the problem of
stigmatisation.
A complex of theoretical research methods has been
used: deduction and induction, analysis and synthesis,
comparison, generalisation, systematisation and
interpretation of results.
Results:
Results:
Stigmatisation is characterised as attributing certain
characteristics to a man by social surroundings
according to formal indications. For instance, a
military-man is disciplined, industrious, responsible,
reliable, strong, etc.
I have distinguished between three main trends of
stigmatisation, in which stigmatisation problems of
military-men are researched:
1) social;
2) psychological;
3) medical (psychiatric).
Each of these trends has its own peculiarities and
various aspects of studying.
By considering military-men stigmatisation problems it
is important to determine their reasons (diagnostic
stage), development dynamics and preventive measures
of possible consequences (medical and psychological
support).
Among the basic reasons of stigmatisations are:
- state policy;
- cultural traditions of the society;
- orientations and values of the reference group;
- individual psychological sets.
It is worth mentioning that stigmatisations can be both
external (on the part of the society) and internal (selfstigmatisation).
The main problematics of stigmatisations of militarymen is related to various forms of self-stigmatisations:
autopsychic, compensatory, socioreversive, which form
their different combinations (compensatory, dissociate,
de-identification and others).
Studying the dynamics of military-men stigmatisation
development has led me to understanding that it is a
complicated social and psychological process in which
the state of all components of individual health is
valued (physical, mental, social, spiritual) as well as
life activity of a personality and their interconnections
with the society.
Ignoring this problem or undue measures can result in
serious consequences for military-men: mental
disorders (depression, bi-polar affective disorder,
schizophrenia and other psychoses) and committing
suicides.
I consider that the most effective means to eliminate
stigmatisation problems of military-men and provide
preventive measures of possible negative consequences
is medical and psychological support which involves
mutual activity of medical personnel and psychologists
in diagnostics, therapy, correction, rehabilitation and
prevention.
Conclusion:
Studying military-men stigmatisation problems and
their prevention will further resolving issues of their
repatriation and adaptation to civil life, prevention of
their mental disorders and improvement of mental
health.
The results of this research can be used by
psychologists and medical personnel in work with
military-men.
DOI and UDC:
DOI: 10.26697/ijes.2019.4.27; UDC: 159.937.2/3:27-587.65-057.36
Information about the authors:
Melnyk Yuriy Borysovych – Doctor of Philosophy in
Pedagogy, Associate Professor, Professor of the
Department of Psychology and Pedagogy, National
Academy of the National Guard of Ukraine; Founder
and Chairman of the Board, KRPOCH; Director,
Scientific Research Institute KRPOCH, Kharkiv,
Ukraine