THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DESIRE FOR REVENGE, PSYCHOLOGICAL RESILIENCE, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG CIVILIAN MEN

Abstract

In the course of the study, an analysis was conducted of the specific characteristics of the relationships between the desire for revenge and the individual psychological characteristics of civilian men, depending on the directionality of revenge. Particular attention was paid to defining the concept of «revenge» within the field of psychology. The purpose of the study is to determine the specific characteristics of the relationship between the desire for revenge and psychological resilience and psychological well-being among civilian men. The following empirical research methods were used in the study: the «Interpersonal Unforgiveness in Close Relationships» assessment procedure; the «Assessment of Individual Psychological Resilience» methodology; the Psychological Well-Being Scale; the research questionnaire «Assessment of Attitudes Toward Life»; the «Civic Identity» questionnaire; and the Collective Identity Questionnaire. The scientific novelty of the study lies in clarifying the specific characteristics of the relationships between the desire for revenge and the individual psychological characteristics of civilian men depending on the direction of revenge. The findings demonstrate that the desire for revenge toward the invaders/enemies of Ukraine is associated with higher levels of psychological resilience, national identity, and civic identity, whereas the desire for revenge in response to interpersonal offenses is associated with lower levels of psychological well-being, life satisfaction, and psychological resilience, as well as with lower levels of meaning in life and prosocial orientation of personality. Conclusions. The results of the analysis indicate that revenge is a multidimensional psychological phenomenon that emerges at the intersection of cognitive appraisals, emotional experiences, personality characteristics, and sociocultural factors. The desire for revenge may arise as a response to experienced injustice and violations of the sense of fairness; however, its enactment does not necessarily contribute to an individual’s psychological recovery. It was established that the desire for revenge toward the invaders/ enemies of Ukraine has significant positive correlations with psychological resilience, as well as with indicators of national and civic identity. Under conditions of threat and collective traumatization, the desire to oppose an external enemy may be associated with the activation of personal resilience resources and a stronger sense of belonging to the national community. Among civilian men, statistically significant negative correlations were found between the level of vengefulness in interpersonal interactions and indicators of psychological well-being, including subjective happiness, life satisfaction, family relationships, and relationships with other people. A negative association was also identified between the desire for revenge in interpersonal interactions and the ability to contribute to the good under any circumstances, the awareness of the significance of one’s own activities, the understanding of one’s life purpose, as well as the level of psychological resilience. An orientation toward revenge against an external enemy may serve the function of maintaining a sense of identity and mobilizing internal personal resources, whereas the desire for revenge in the interpersonal domain is associated with lower levels of psychological well-being, life satisfaction, and personal psychological resilience. The desire for revenge in interpersonal interactions is associated with a deterioration of individuals’ adaptive resources