Digital applications as tools for psychological adaptation of citizens to changes

Abstract

As a result of the military aggression of the russian federation on the territory of Ukraine, citizens experience acute stress, other mental and emotional burdens, and psychological disorders. Digital technologies can serve as a tool to improve mental health and provide psychological support to citizens, especially for those who find it difficult to access a psychotherapist in direct contact, through the development of applications for psychological adaptation and mental balance support. The purpose of the work was to determine the availability and optimal content of mobile applications for mental health and psychological balance of citizens of Ukraine. A search and analysis of available solutions from the E-Mental-Health category (digital services for mental health) in Ukraine and other countries was conducted. An empirical study of their functions was carried out and a proposal of optimal content for mobile applications was formed as auxiliary tools for working with a specialist psychotherapist or for psychological assistance to citizens during martial law. To determine the need for such applications, a survey “My psychological state in evacuation” was conducted among respondents who are outside the country. In order to determine the most important functions among the list of the created proposal of the optimal content of the application according to the opinion of citizens, an online survey “Ukrainians and digital services” was conducted. It was mainly attended by young people who remained in the country during the military aggression. On the basis of the obtained results, the need of Ukrainian citizens, both those who remained in the country during hostilities and those who are evacuated in other countries, for mobile applications for mental health and psychological assistance to Ukrainians was empirically substantiated. Recommendations have been provided regarding the necessary features of such an application, which can be considered as a project specification for the creation or enhancement of a multifunctional E-Mental-Health app