1732 - DIGITAL TOOLS' UTILIZATION IN PSYCHOLOGICAL PRACTICE DURING WARTIME: EXPERIENCE OF UKRAINIAN PSYCHOLOGISTS

Session: P_D06S006 - Poster Session 6 - Division 6
AUTHORS:
Velykodna Mariana (Ukraine Sigmund Freud University ~ Kyiv ~ Ukraine) , Pysarenko Tetiana (Ukraine Sigmund Freud University ~ Kyiv ~ Ukraine) , Deputatov Vladyslav (Ukraine Sigmund Freud University ~ Kyiv ~ Ukraine) , Lazos Gelena (Ukraine Sigmund Freud University ~ Kyiv ~ Ukraine) , Klymenko Ivan (Ukraine Sigmund Freud University ~ Kyiv ~ Ukraine) , Karamushka Liudmyla (Ukraine Sigmund Freud University ~ Kyiv ~ Ukraine)
Abstract text:
Objective. The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine required the timely and appropriate provision of various psychological aid to the population, from brief crisis interventions to long-term psychotherapy, to mitigate the consequences of trauma. As millions of Ukrainians were forcibly displaced within the country or abroad, digital tools utilization in providing mental health care to them became almost indispensable. This study aimed to reveal the specifics of this experience.
Methods. An online survey was distributed among Ukrainian psychologists (n=328) practicing in wartime in December 2023. The respondents were provided with a list of 13 types of digital tools and were asked to evaluate the frequency of their utilization via the 7-point Likert scale (7 - daily, 6 - weekly, 5 - monthly, 4 - half-yearly, 3 - annually, 2 - at least once per 5 years, 1 - less often than once per 5 years, 0 - never).
Results. From the offered list, 6 types of digital tools were unanimously rated as most frequently used as follows. Tools for online sessions (e.g., Zoom, Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram) were rated as utilized daily (M=6.43, Me=7). Social networks (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) were used for professional purposes between monthly and weekly (M=5.06, Me=6). Media-channels (YouTube channel, Telegram channel) were reported to be used between annually and monthly (M=3.78, Me=5). Online tests or diagnostic assessment tools (M=3.73, Me=4.5) and mobile applications (M=3.73, Me=4) have been utilized from half-yearly to annually. Finally, websites for offering psychological services were assessed as utilized from half-yearly to at least once per 5 years (M=2.95, Me=4). Audio and video recording tools, digital scheduling tools, artificial intelligence, chatbots, services for sending correspondence, sensor tools, and virtual reality were utilized occasionally (M=2.16-0.56, Me=0).
Conclusions. Digital tools are specifically and frequently utilized in psychological practice in wartime Ukraine. Qualitative research is required to investigate this experience.