Cognitive Predictors of Students' Perception of Environmental and Epidemic Health Threats During Wartime

- Ларіна, Тетяна Олексіївна (orcid.org/0000-0001-8975-3348) (2026) Cognitive Predictors of Students' Perception of Environmental and Epidemic Health Threats During Wartime Наукові студії соціальної та політичної психології, 1 (32). pp. 63-69. ISSN 2309-8287

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Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of cognitive predictors on students' perception of environmental and epidemic health threats during wartime. To identify cognitive predictors, the following methods were used: the "Worldview Plasticity Questionnaire," the "Post-Traumatic Cognitions Inventory," and a shortened version of the "Sense of Coherence" scale. A specialized diagnostic framework was developed to investigate specific structural components of the educational process participants' psychological readiness to counteract environmental and epidemic threats. The sample consisted of 502 respondents with a mean age of 20 years: women (80.3%), men (18.1%), and other genders (1.6%). Data were collected using Google Forms during the spring-autumn period of 2025. Regression analysis was applied for statistical data processing. It was found that worldview and cognitive-emotional predictors play a significant role in shaping students' attitudes toward environmental and epidemic challenges. The results of the regression analysis showed that negative beliefs about the world are the dominant factor affecting mental health (R² = 0.46; t = 0.51; p < 0.001), while the sense of coherence (t = -0.04; p = 0.026) functions as a protective factor. Perception of environmental threats is more strongly mediated by cognitive predictors such as critical thinking and plasticity. Worldview predictors, such as idealism and integrity, play a leading role as additional cognitive filters through which students assess the level of danger arising from epidemic challenges. The obtained regression model demonstrated a complex interaction dynamic between cognitive and resource parameters of students' psychological resilience to global challenges. A tendency toward self-blame may act as a mediator that intensifies anxiety regarding one's physical state under adverse environmental and epidemic circumstances. It was established that negative beliefs about the world are a key factor increasing the vulnerability of youth mental health to environmental challenges, whereas the sense of coherence serves as a "protective" factor in countering environmental and epidemic threats among participants in the educational process.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Cognitive beliefs, Worldview, Individual psychological readiness, Worldview plasticity, Post-traumatic cognitions
Subjects:	Science and knowledge. Organization. Computer science. Information. Documentation. Librarianship. Institutions. Publications > 1 Philosophy. Psychology Science and knowledge. Organization. Computer science. Information. Documentation. Librarianship. Institutions. Publications > 3 Social Sciences > 314/316 Society > 316 Соціологія Science and knowledge. Organization. Computer science. Information. Documentation. Librarianship. Institutions. Publications > 3 Social Sciences > 37 Education > 378 Higher education. Universities. Academic study Science and knowledge. Organization. Computer science. Information. Documentation. Librarianship. Institutions. Publications > 6 Applied Sciences. Medicine. Technology > 61 Medical sciences
Divisions:	The Institute of Social and Political Psychology > Department of Social Psychology of Personality
Depositing User:	Т.О. Ларіна
Date Deposited:	21 Aug 2026 09:31
Last Modified:	21 Aug 2026 09:31
URI:	https://lib.iitta.gov.ua/id/eprint/750162

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