Psychophysiological indicators of adaptive potential in conscripts facing the risk of emergency

Relevance . Increasing frequency and complexity of natural and technogenic emergencies impose more stringent requirements to the psychophysiological stability of personnel involved in emergency response activities. The efficiency of actions performed under time pressure, high responsibility and significant emotional stress largely depend on individual adaptive potential. Therefore, early identification of psychophysiological factors that determine stress resistance and readiness to act in high-risk environments is of particular importance. The study aim is to identify psychophysiological indicators of adaptive potential in conscripts facing the risk of emergency. Methods . The study involved 400 conscripts aged 18–22 years undergoing military conscription procedures and professional psychological examination. Psychological characteristics of adaptive potential were assessed using the Prognosis neuropsychic stability test and the SAN scale (well-being, activity, mood). Vegetative regulation was evaluated using the Luscher Color Test and vegetative coefficient calculation according to K. Sipos. Statistical analysis was performed using correlation and multifactor regression analysis in IBM SPSS Statistics software. Results and discussion. The results showed that 38.5 % of examined conscripts demonstrated predominant sympathetic vegetative regulation; 34.0 % exhibited a normotonic type; and 27.5 % showed signs of vagotonia. A statistically significant relationship between neuropsychic stability and the vegetative coefficient was revealed (r = 0.41; p < 0.01), indicating a moderate association between psychological and vegetative mechanisms of adaptation. The obtained results are consistent with previous studies on psychophysiological adaptation in military personnel, which also indicate increased sympathetic activity during adaptation to new conditions. Conclusion . Our findings suggest that indicators of neuropsychic stability and vegetative regulation can be considered informative predictors of adaptive potential in conscripts. The use of the Luscher Color Test, as well as calculations of the K. Sipos vegetative coefficient and neuropsychic stability assessment may be recommended for professional psychological examination and monitoring of the functional status of conscripts preparing to operate under high-risk and emergency conditions.