Peculiarities of Combatants’ Attitude Towards Meaningful Life Orientations and Death
Peculiarities of Combatants’ Attitude Towards Meaningful Life Orientations and Death
Avagimyan Hayk, Sargsyan Mane, Ghanadyan Avetik
Summary
Key words: existential values, meaning of life, combat stress, traumatic stress, war participants, personal growth
The aim of the following article is to examine how combat experiences shape individual value systems, perceptions of life meaning, and psychological attitudes toward death. This research is relevant because the search for life meaning and formation of attitudes toward death play a critical role in combatants’ mental well-being and post-war social integration. It also helps identify effective methods of psychological support, contributing to adaptation and improved quality of life.
The study objectives are to identify the features of meaningful life orientations among combatants, examine their attitudes toward death and related psychological factors, analyze the interaction between life meaning and attitudes toward death in the context of combat experience.
The research employed psychological testing as well as qualitative and quantitative analyses. Key instruments included D. Leontiev’s “Meaningful Life Orientations” methodology and Templer’s “Death Anxiety” scale.
The findings indicate that combat experience often leads to a reevaluation of life meaning, while attitudes toward death vary from acceptance to fear or indifference. Understanding these processes can support faster post-traumatic recovery and promote personal growth by transforming traumatic experiences into constructive insights.