PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF WORKING WITH INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS WITH HEIGHTENED AGGRESSION

Abstract

The war and large-scale crisis situations in Ukraine have led to a significant increase in the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs). These are individuals who have lost their homes, stability, and habitual way of life, which profoundly affects their psycho-emotional state. Facing uncertainty, social isolation, and economic instability, IDPs often experience stress, frustration, and a sense of powerlessness. Accumulated negative emotions frequently manifest as aggressive behavior, which serves as a defensive response to deep internal distress. Aggressiveness among IDPs is a significant challenge for psychologists working in crisis conditions. Understanding it as a natural reaction to stress allows for effective communication and support for individuals in need. Psychological work with aggression involves not only stabilizing emotional states but also addressing the underlying causes that provoke it by creating a safe space for dialogue and restoring trust in the world. An analysis of manifestations of aggression among IDPs shows that such behavior is a complex psychological reaction to prolonged stress, uncertainty, and the loss of a familiar way of life. Displacement caused by war or other crises destroys fundamental human needs: safety, control over circumstances, and social stability. The inability to return to normal life and manage accumulated emotional tension often results in aggressive behavior as a form of psychological defense. In this case, aggression is a reaction to helplessness, frustration, and a desire to regain lost control over one’s life.