Learned Helplessness, Resilience, and Time Perspective in Ukrainian and Israeli Citizens Amid Prolonged Warfare: Social and Neurobehavioral patterns

Abstract

The incessant, incomprehensible war in Ukraine and Israel inevitably determines everyday uncertainty and chronic stress, which significantly affect the mental health, well-being and functioning of the civilian population. This study examines the problem of studied helplessness, resilience and understanding of life in the context of the perception of a temporary perspective among Ukrainian and Israeli citizens. The study highlights the possibility of using the “Unified Framework for Integrated Psychological Assessment and Intervention,” which combines metacognitive, neuropsychological and psychodynamic approaches. This framework is proposed as the most important strategy for meeting the complex psychological needs of people in war-affected areas. By applying this comprehensive framework, mental health professionals can develop more thoughtful and effective support systems, increase resilience, encourage future-­oriented thinking, and mitigate feelings of helplessness, ultimately improving the well-being of a person living in a prolonged environment.