FEATURES OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF STUDENTS OF HIGHER MEDICAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ON THE SUSPENSION TO PSYCHOSOMATIC DISORDERS

Abstract

This article investigates the impact of quality of life, as a manifestation of psychosocial functioning, on the predisposition to psychosomatic disorders among students of Ukrainian medical higher education institutions, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war. The authors emphasize that human life is the highest value in society, making the preservation of physical and mental health a top priority. The study involved 122 students aged 17–25 from Poltava State Medical University. The methodology included an anonymous online survey utilizing the «Chaban Quality of Life Scale (CQLS)», a questionnaire for identifying psychosomatic disorders, and self-assessment scales for depression and anxiety (© Chaban O.S., Khaustova O.O.). Results indicated that a significant portion of respondents reported a low or moderate quality of life and a high risk of developing psychosomatic pathology. This risk was highest in the group with a moderate quality of life. The study also revealed that anxiety predominates over the depressive component of mood among the respondents. An interesting pattern observed was an increase in the frequency of depressive manifestations and a decrease in anxiety symptoms as quality of life indicators improved. Among the identified manifestations, behavioral-communicative disturbances were the most frequent (96.7%), followed by somato-vegetative disturbances (86.8%), and then emotional disturbances (63.7%). The findings suggest a significant role of cognitive-behavioral disturbances in the development of a predisposition to psychosomatic disorders. This may be linked to the specific adaptive and communication characteristics of the current generation of students, whose personalities were shaped under the influence of pandemic and wartime restrictions. According to the researchers, these differences are not optimal for psychosocial adaptation and increase the risk of developing persistent psychosomatic disorders, necessitating further research and the development of preventive and corrective measures.