THE PSYCHO-EMOTIONAL DIMENSION OF MASS MEDIA INFLUENCE ON THE SHAPING OF POLITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS IN CONTEMPORARY UKRAINIAN SOCIETY: THREATS AND CHALLENGES
Keywords:
Political consciousness, psycho-emotional state, emotional and psychological impact.Abstract
Mass media play one of the defining roles in the formation of political consciousness of contemporary Ukrainian society and significantly influence the psycho-emotional state of the population, especially in the context of the ongoing full-scale war, as well as the exacerbation of socio-political contradictions, strategic and visionary uncertainty regarding effective state-building, and overcoming demographic and economic crises. Intensive consumption of media content, often presented in a highly emotional and intense form, can contribute to increased levels of stress and anxiety, which is confirmed by the study «Media Stressors and Psychological Well-being of the Ukrainian Population» (2023-2024), which identifies media consumption as one of the leading factors of psychological tension. At the same time, mass media are undoubtedly capable of consolidating society and supporting civic resilience (particularly through supporting public and volunteer initiatives or through balanced and consistent coverage of positive and negative domestic political aspects, etc.), which has a positive impact on public trust and cohesion, the productivity and motivation of the population, social capital, and the potential for public dialogue and democratic participation. This makes the analysis of the aforementioned psycho-emotional impact particularly relevant for understanding this multifaceted phenomenon from a political science and political psychology perspective. The aim of the work is to analyze how the psycho-emotional impact of mass media affects the political consciousness of Ukrainians, specifically by identifying threats to mental health and their potential consequences in the socio-political sphere. Research into these processes is important for assessing the stability of the political system, the effectiveness of state institutions in contemporary Ukraine, and predicting future trends in the development of the state and civil society.
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