TRANSGENERATIONAL ASPECTS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS IN THE VICINITY OF A FORMER NUCLEAR TEST SITE

Long-term residence in radiation-contaminated areas gives rise to a specific complex of psychological reactions, classified in modern science as chronic radiation stress syndrome. Unlike acute stress disorders, this phenomenon is driven by the prolonged exposure to an invisible and intangible—yet ever-present—threat. Subjective perception of radiation risk often exceeds objective dosimetric readings, acting as an independent pathogenic factor. An analysis of literature regarding the impact of ionizing radiation on an individual's psychological characteristics as a whole has shown that exposure to adverse environmental factors leads to changes in personality structure and the emergence of traits such as anxiety, aggression, and rigidity, which in turn impair the individual's ability to adapt to the demands of daily life. According to the results of surveys and experimental research, the causes of prolonged psychological stress include the persistent risk of radiation-related health effects, financial hardship, information-related factors, and a lack of public knowledge regarding radiation and its associated biological, medical, and other effects. Individuals in the main study group, who lived under conditions of radio-ecological stress, experienced a breakdown of psychological defense mechanisms and developed states of despair, depression, and confusion. Psycho-emotional stress, maladaptive coping strategies, and patterns of "learned helplessness" that developed in the first generation (direct witnesses of the tests) are transmitted to subsequent generations through family narratives and destructive parenting styles. Consequently, the second and third generations—who were not exposed to direct radiation—exhibit lower levels of psychological well-being and quality of life, comparable to those of their parents. A comprehensive assessment of the psychological status of individuals affected by the activities of a nuclear test site is essential for verifying the mechanisms of socio-psychological adaptation amidst an anthropogenic crisis and for developing scientifically grounded medical-psychological rehabilitation programs.

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