Keywords
existential motivations
resilience
psychological adaptation
war
meaning in life
self-worth
psychological resources
How to Cite
Abstract
Background. Prolonged exposure to war-related stress, uncertainty, forced displacement, and persistent threats places substantial demands on individuals’ psychological adaptation and resilience. Contemporary psychological research increasingly recognizes that adaptive functioning under extreme conditions depends not only on coping strategies but also on deeper existential resources, including meaning in life, self-worth, fundamental trust, and value orientation. Within the framework of existential analysis, existential fulfilment represents an integrative construct reflecting the realization of fundamental existential motivations and may constitute a key psychological resource supporting resilience during prolonged crises. However, empirical evidence regarding the relationship between existential fulfilment and resilience among civilians living under wartime conditions remains limited.
Objective. The study aimed to investigate the relationships between existential fulfilment, fundamental existential motivations, and psychological resilience among Ukrainians experiencing prolonged wartime conditions, as well as to identify existential profiles associated with psychological adaptation.
Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 113 Ukrainian adults aged 18–70 years. Participants completed the Test of Existential Motivations (TEM) and the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Descriptive statistics, comparative analyses, Spearman’s correlation coefficients, and typological profiling were applied to examine existential functioning and its association with resilience.
Results. Participants demonstrated an overall moderate-to-high level of existential fulfilment. The highest scores were observed for fundamental value and meaning in life, whereas fundamental trust and self-worth appeared comparatively more vulnerable under wartime conditions. Four existential functioning profiles were identified, with the tension-diffuse profile representing the majority of participants. Existential indicators showed a positive age-related trend, with older adults demonstrating greater existential integration. Psychological resilience was positively associated with all four fundamental existential motivations (ρ = .51–.57, p < .001), indicating that resilience is closely connected with existential resources rather than solely with adaptive stress responses. The strongest associations were observed between existential fulfilment and fundamental trust, self-worth, and meaning in life.
Conclusions. Existential fulfilment constitutes an important psychological resource facilitating adaptation under conditions of prolonged war. The findings support an integrative conceptualization of resilience as a multidimensional construct grounded in existential meaning, personal values, self-worth, and inner coherence. Strengthening existential resources may enhance psychological adaptation and should therefore be incorporated into psychological interventions, psychosocial support programs, and rehabilitation services for populations affected by armed conflict. The proposed typology of existential functioning also provides a useful framework for identifying individuals at increased psychological risk and tailoring resilience-building interventions.
Keywords: existential fulfilment; existential motivations; resilience; psychological adaptation; war; meaning in life; self-worth; psychological resources.
Received: January 3, 2026
Accepted: April 21, 2026
Published: April 30, 2026
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