PERCEPTION OF TIME PERSPECTIVE IN WIDOWS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS DURING THE FIRST YEAR AFTER THE LOSS.

OBJECTIVE

The aim: The aim of this study is to examine the impact of the loss of a loved one on the perception of subjective time as well as analyse the changes occurring during the psychological care programme, in which special attention was given to finding a new meaning in life.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: The study was undertaken with 240 wives of deceased law enforcement officers. The age of the respondents ranged from 28 to 56 years. According to the results of the analysis of personal data and interviews obtained during the empirical study, experimental and control groups were formed - 32 women who had been widows for up to one year and expressed a desire to receive psychological assistance formed an experimental group (EG), while 34 others formed a control group (CG). They subsequently participated in the formative part of the experiment which provided 10 months of psychological support with preliminary and repeated psycho-diagnostic testing.

RESULTS

Results: The article theoretically analyses studies by foreign and domestic experts on a person's perception of his psychological time under the influence of emotional trauma. It presents the results of a comparative experimental psychological examination of the widows of law enforcement officers to determine the tendency for changes in the perception of the time perspective while experiencing grief.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: A break caused by a loss, especially that of a loved one, disrupts a holistic view of life. Such breaks result in mental health problems, which in turn impact social relations and social realisation. Timely psychological assistance helps solve problems of legitimising behavioural change and accumulating resources for adapting to changing life scenarios.