Distinctive aspects of subjective evaluation of the effectiveness of psychological support for higher education students

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between the social characteristics of higher education students and their subjective assessment of the effectiveness of various types of psychological support in wartime. The study analysed how age, gender, level, and year of study, as well as location, affect the perception of such activities as lectures, trainings, individual counselling, and support groups. The results of the study can be used to develop adaptive approaches to psychological support for higher education students in wartime. Methods. To achieve the research objective, a quantitative methodology was applied using multivariate analysis of variance (ANOVA). An online questionnaire was used to collect data, which included an assessment of the effectiveness of each psychological support measure on a straightforward numerical scale (0–10 points). The distribution of data was tested for normality using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, which allowed the use of parametric analysis methods. The study’s total sample consisted of 237 higher education students who were diverse in age, gender, years of education, levels of education, and location. Results. The effectiveness of lectures, trainings, and individual work can be assessed by age, as it has been found. Younger students (18–22 years old) highly value lectures and trainings because they provide access to new knowledge and practical skills. On the other hand, older students (28–33 years old) prefer individual work because it allows them to work through personal problems in more depth. There were significant differences between men and women in assessing the effectiveness of different psychological support measures: women rated individual support formats higher than men. The level of study affects the assessment of the effectiveness of trainings and support groups, with Bachelors rating these measures higher than Master’s students. The location of the students also affects the assessment of the effectiveness of psychological support measures: those who are abroad rated the effectiveness of group and individual measures more highly. Discussion and conclusions. The results of the study emphasise the need to develop adaptive psychological support programmes for higher education students in wartime, taking into account the social characteristics of the participants. Support groups proved to be a universal format that meets the psychological needs of all categories of students, while lectures, trainings, and individual work require a differentiated approach to application. The results can be used to improve the psychological support of higher education students in conditions of prolonged crises, such as war. The findings also provide a basis for further research aimed at studying the long-term effects of different types of psychological support.