WAR-RELATED TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES AND THEIR PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES: ADAPTIVE CHALLENGES AND RESOURCES AMONG PERSONS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

Abstract

War is an exceptionally powerful traumatic factor, with consequences that affect an individual's emotional, cognitive, and social functioning. Attention should be paid to individuals with special educational needs (SEN), as their vulnerability to stressful events may be exacerbated by developmental characteristics, communication difficulties, challenges in self-regulation, dependence on adult support, and disruptions to their usual educational and social environments. War-related losses may involve not only the loss of a loved one but also the loss of safety, housing, familiar routines and lifestyles, access to education, social connections, stability, and a sense of predictability regarding the future.

The article examines the major psychological consequences of war-related losses for individuals with special educational needs, identifies key challenges associated with their adaptation, and characterizes resources that may contribute to the restoration of psychological well-being. Attention is given to the importance of a supportive social environment, stability, individualized psychological assistance, accessible communication, and the involvement of families and multidisciplinary teams of professionals.

It has been substantiated that interdisciplinary collaboration among psychologists, educators, inclusive education specialists, healthcare and social service professionals, as well as family members, is of particular importance. Such an approach makes it possible to address the complex and multifaceted needs of individuals with special educational needs (SEN) and to create the conditions necessary for long-term psychological recovery. A promising direction for further research is the investigation of long-term trajectories of psychological adaptation among different categories of individuals with SEN, as well as the development and empirical evaluation of specialized psychosocial support programs designed for use during wartime and in the context of post-war recovery.