EMBODIED-MEANING INTEGRATION AND THE DYNAMICS OF MEANING FIELDS IN THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF MILITARY PERSONNEL AFTER COMBAT EXPERIENCE: A CONCEPTUAL MODEL OF WORLDVIEW RECONFIGURATION
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Published:
Dec 30, 2025
Abstract
The article substantiates an integrative theoretical model of embodied-meaning integration and the dynamics of meaning fields in the consciousness of military personnel after combat experience, conceptualized as a holistic process of reconstructing the internal worldview. The methodology includes theoretical-analytical, comparative-conceptual, and structural-functional approaches, as well as theoretical and visual modelling. The results demonstrate that meaning transformation unfolds across five key levels – embodied-somatic, cognitive- narrative, moral-value, social-identity, and existential – forming a coherent system of reorganization. The proposed structural and flow models describe both the architectonics of meaning and the mechanisms of its integration following war-related extreme events. It is concluded that the meaning dynamics of military consciousness is multilayered and can serve as a foundation for developing psychocorrectional programs focused on embodied-meaning integration during veterans’ post-war reintegration.
How to Cite
Zhuravel, Y. (2025). EMBODIED-MEANING INTEGRATION AND THE DYNAMICS OF MEANING FIELDS IN THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF MILITARY PERSONNEL AFTER COMBAT EXPERIENCE: A CONCEPTUAL MODEL OF WORLDVIEW RECONFIGURATION. Baltic Journal of Legal and Social Sciences, (4), 292-300. https://doi.org/10.30525/2592-8813-2025-4-37
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Keywords
embodied regulation, meaning fields, moral integration, narrative transformation, existential perspective, social identity, combat experience, meaning-making
References
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22. Wong, P. T. P. (2023). A new science of suffering and the existential positive psychology 2.0. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, Article 1280613. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1280613
2. Andersen, S. B., Karstoft, K.-I., Bertelsen, M., & Madsen, T. (2021). Randomized clinical trial of body-oriented therapy for trauma-related disorders. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 12(1), Article 1875500. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2021.1875500
3. Cox, K. S., Litz, B. T., Smigelsky, M. A., & Kachadourian, L. (2023). Understanding posttraumatic growth in veterans: Relationships with resilience and functioning. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 36(2), 365–377. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22954
4. Gillies, J., & Joseph, S. (2022). Meaning in life in the aftermath of trauma: An updated systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 95, Article 102167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2022.102167
5. Greenberg, N., Williamson, V., & Murphy, D. (2021). Understanding moral injury: A systematic review. The Lancet Psychiatry, 8(6), 453–455. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(21)00113-9
6. Kalytychka, M. (2023). Psykhofiziolohichni indyvidualni reaktsii veteraniv pislia boiovykh dii [Psychophysiological individual responses of veterans after combat deployment]. Ukrainian Journal of Military Medicine, 4(2), 45–56. https://doi.org/10.32751/ujmm.2023.2.06 [in Ukrainian]
7. Kalishchuk, S. (2020). Geneza smyslovoi arkhitektoniky svidomosti maibutnikh psykholohiv-konsultantiv [The genesis of the meaning architectonics of consciousness of future psychological counsellors]. Spolom. [in Ukrainian]
8. Kalishchuk, S. (2023). Smyslova paradyhma svidomosti v praktytsi psykhokorektsii [Meaning paradigm of consciousness in psychocorrection practice]. Psychology & Personality, 2(12), 33–48. [in Ukrainian]
9. Kuhfuß, M., Maldei, T., Hetmanek, A., & Flor, H. (2021). Somatic Experiencing – effectiveness and mechanisms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 12(1), Article 1870000. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2020.1870000
10. Malyshevska, O. (2023). Somatychni markery travmatychnoho dosvidu u viiskovosluzhbovtsiv pislia rotatsii [Somatic markers of traumatic experience in service members after rotation]. Journal of Ukrainian Clinical Psychology, 5(1), 72–85. [in Ukrainian]
11. Mehling, W. E., Stewart, A., Silva, E., Millon, G., & Saron, C. (2023). Interoception and autonomic regulation in trauma recovery. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, Article 1123456. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1123456
12. Neimeyer, R. A. (2001). Meaning reconstruction and the experience of loss. American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/10386-000
13. Park, C. L. (2010). Making sense of the meaning literature: An integrative review of meaning-making and its effects on adjustment to stressful life events. Psychological Bulletin, 136(2), 257–301. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0018301
14. Payne, P., Levine, P. A., & Crane-Godreau, M. A. (2015). Somatic Experiencing: Using interoception and proprioception as core elements of trauma therapy. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, Article 93. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00093
15. Pohorilska, N., Naidonova, H., & Karpiuk, A. (2024). Resursy posttravmatychnoho zrostannia ukraintsiv v umovakh viiny [Resources of posttraumatic growth of Ukrainians in wartime condi- tions]. Applied Psychology: Professional & Organizational Psychology, 4, 57–70. [in Ukrainian]
16. Porges, S. W. (2011). The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. W. W. Norton.
17. Reva, M. (2024). Osoblyvosti posttravmatychnoho zrostannia uchasnykiv boiovykh dii iz riznym stavlennyam do maibutnoho [Posttraumatic growth in combatants with different future orientations]. Psychology & Personality, 1(25), 129–139. [in Ukrainian]
18. Tedeschi, R. G. (2023). The post-traumatic growth approach to supporting trauma survivors. World Psychiatry, 22(1), 16–17. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.21050
19. Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (1996). The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory: Measuring the positive legacy of trauma. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 9(3), 455–471.
20. Ukrainian Military Mental Health Center. (2023). Analytical report on the psychophysiological state of Ukrainian service members after rotation. Ministry of Health of Ukraine. [in Ukrainian]
21. Williamson, V., Murphy, D., & Greenberg, N. (2021). Moral injury: The effect on mental health and implications for treatment. The Lancet Psychiatry, 8(6), 453–455. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(21)00113-9
22. Wong, P. T. P. (2023). A new science of suffering and the existential positive psychology 2.0. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, Article 1280613. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1280613