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Abstract

In the context of full-scale war, the issue of socio-psychological adaptation of students has become particularly relevant. This concerns not only students who have been forced to change their educational environment but also cadets of higher education institutions with specific learning conditions who continue their training in Ukraine. Education in higher education institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs system combines intensive academic workload with high demands for discipline, physical training, and psychological resilience, while also involving significant restrictions on personal autonomy. Martial law conditions further complicate the adaptation process due to increased stress levels, security risks, and intensified psychological pressure. This article aims to examine the features of socio-psychological adaptation of first-year cadets to the conditions of study at a higher education institution of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine during martial law. An empirical study conducted among 89 first-year cadets showed that almost half of the respondents (49,4%) are in the «well-being zone», while the same proportion is in the «adaptation risk zone», and 1,2% demonstrate signs of maladaptation. It was found that the key resources for successful adaptation include peer support, unit cohesion, the presence of life-meaning orientations, and patriotic motivation. The study also confirmed that an important factor of successful adaptation is the level of internality and the cadets’ ability for psychological self-regulation, which contributes to greater emotional stability and more effective coping with stress.

Keywords: Adaptation, Cadets, Self-regulation, Stress, Survey

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