Loss of a Comrade: Stages and Strategy of Psychological Intervention
Abstract
Abstract. The loss of a comrade in military conditions is a complex psychotraumatic experience that can combine elements of grief, combat stress, guilt, and moral trauma. This experience can lead to PTSD, complicated grief, depression, and social maladjustment. The events of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine have resulted in an extremely high level of human casualties, forming a specific traumatic response to the death of comrades in arms. The nature of the experience of losing a comrade depends on the presence of highly significant interpersonal relationships within the unit, mutual responsibility, and shared risk to life. This makes grief unique and often nonlinear. The main risk factors for the development of complicated grief are the intensity of combat experience, the degree of closeness to the deceased, previous mental disorders, lack of social support, and the military culture of “not showing weakness”. At the same time, adequate social support, the availability of internal and external resources, resilience training, and access to specialized psychological assistance contribute to the prevention of chronic trauma. The article provides an overview of the stages of psychological intervention in the event of the loss of a comrade, including stabilization and recovery, processing of traumatic experiences, and reintegration into everyday life. Methods of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), desensitization and reprocessing with eye movements (EMDR), body-oriented therapy, internal family systems (IFS), narrative exposure therapy, mindfulness approaches, and psychodynamic approaches are considered. The principles of effective psychological support are summarized: acceptance of grief, empathy, respect for military rituals, avoidance of pathologizing reactions, working with feelings of guilt, maintaining social connections, and gradual adaptation to everyday life. It is emphasized that the main goal of psychological assistance is not to forget a comrade, but to learn to live while preserving memory and continuing service and life. The study highlights the practical importance of comprehensive and phased psychological intervention to increase the mental resilience of military personnel, preserve their combat effectiveness, and develop a system of professional support in wartime conditions.
Keywords: loss of a comrade; military personnel veterans; PTSD; moral trauma; grief; psychological support; stages of psychological intervention.
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