Афективні, когнітивні та соціальні предиктори медіатравматизації молоді українських університетів під час війни: емпірична модель

Олена Богучарова; Іван Данилюк

doi:10.29038/eejpl.2026.13.1.boh1

Authors

Olena Bohucharova Donetsk State University of Internal Affairs, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5617-9175
Ivan Danyliuk * Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6522-5994

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29038/eejpl.2026.13.1.boh1

Keywords:

media-related psychological distress model, cognitive, social, and media-related behavioral factors, negative affect, posttraumatic-like symptoms, Ukrainian university youth, Russia-Ukraine war

Abstract

This study aims to develop an empirical model of media-related psychological distress and posttraumatic-like symptoms associated with war-related media exposure, and to examine the relative contributions of affective, cognitive, social, and media-related behavioral factors among Ukrainian university youth exposed to emotionally negative military media content related to the Russian–Ukrainian war. A total of 128 participants were recruited from two Ukrainian universities. The study employed a modified version of the PCL-5 adapted for media exposure, the OPANA Ukrainian questionnaire (PANAS), the Fundamental Assumptions Scale, the Constructive Thinking Inventory, the Mental Health Continuum–Short Form, the Social Well-Being Scale. Media exposure was assessed through a multi-platform exposure index and self-reported doomscrolling behavior. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the relative contributions of affective, cognitive, social, and media-related variables to media-induced psychological distress. In Model 1, affective (negative and positive affect), cognitive (self-worth, constructive thinking), and social (psychological well-being, social integration) variables were entered simultaneously. The model was statistically significant, F(6, 121) = 33.10, p < .001, explaining 62% of the variance in media-induced distress (R² = .62, adjusted R² = .60). In Model 2, media-related variables (media exposure and doomscrolling) were added. The extended model remained statistically significant and demonstrated an increase in explained variance (R² = .68, adjusted R² = .65), with the inclusion of media variables accounting for an additional 6% of variance (ΔR² = .06, p < .001). Doomscrolling emerged as a significant positive predictor (β = .31, p < .001), whereas general media exposure showed a weaker but still significant effect (β = .14, p < .05). The results support a shift from exposure-based models toward an integrative that considers media-related distress as a product of dynamic interactions between emotional reactivity, cognitive processing, social functioning, and adaptive media consumption habits.

CRediT Author Statement

Olena Bohucharova: Methodology, Validation, Investigation, Software, Resources, Data Curation, Writing – Original Draft, Visualisation; Ivan Danyliuk: Conceptualisation, Formal Analysis, Resources, Writing – Reviewing & Editing, Supervision.

Disclosure Statement

The authors reported no potential conflicts of interest.

Generative AI Statement

During the preparation of this work, the authors used ChatGPT (OpenAI, GPT4.o) to improve the English language, enhance the style and readability of the manuscript, and assist in the presentation and formatting of tables and mathematical expressions. The tool was used solely for editorial and formatting purposes and was not used to generate research data, perform analyses, interpret results, or draw scientific conclusions. After using this tool, the authors reviewed, verified, and edited all AI-assisted content as needed and take full responsibility for the content of the publication.

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Author Biography

Ivan Danyliuk *, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

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