THE METACOGNITIVE APPROACH TO PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH PSYCHOTRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/pub.health.2026.1.10Keywords:
psychological support, traumatic experience, metacognitive self-regulation, public health, coping strategies, cognitive autonomyAbstract
Topicality. In the context of the increasing prevalence of population traumatization caused by war-related events, socio-economic instability, and other crisis factors, the development of effective approaches to psychological support for individuals with traumatic experience within the public health system is of particular importance. Existing models of psychological assistance often lack sufficient structure and are not adequately oriented toward the formation of long-term adaptive mechanisms.
The goal of the work is to provide a theoretical substantiation and conceptualization of an approach to psychological support for individuals with traumatic experience in the public health system based on metacognitive self-regulation, as well as to develop a structured model for its implementation.
Materials and methods. The study was conducted within a theoretical and analytical framework. Methods of system analysis, generalization, and interpretation of contemporary scientific sources on psychological support for individuals with traumatic experience were applied. The method of conceptual modeling was used to develop a structured model of psychological assistance. Structural and functional analysis was employed to identify the stages, mechanisms, and principles of implementing the proposed approach.
Research results. The study substantiates the feasibility of applying metacognitive self-regulation as a key mechanism of psychological adaptation for individuals with traumatic experience. A structured model of psychological support is proposed, which includes the stages of screening, problem prioritization, intervention planning, and monitoring of implementation. The mechanisms of transforming distress into a manageable problem-solving process through the development of structured thinking skills and conscious regulation of cognitive processes are identified. The conditions for the formation of cognitive autonomy and the transfer of effective coping strategies to new life situations are outlined.
Conclusions. The proposed approach enhances the effectiveness of psychological support within the public health system by structuring the assistance process and focusing on the development of stable metacognitive skills. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of applying the developed model to optimize psychological care under conditions of limited resources and increased pressure on the healthcare system. Further research should be aimed at empirical verification of the effectiveness of the proposed model.
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