STRUCTURE OF COPING BEHAVIOUR OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED BULLYING

Abstract

The article summarises the findings of a theoretical and empirical investigation of the structure of coping behaviour among people with disabilities who have been bullied. Coping behaviour is defined as an integrative system of cognitive, emotional, and behavioural strategies that help people overcome stressful situations caused by negative interpersonal impact, social rejection, and persistent psycho-emotional stress. It is underlined that bullying is a special traumatic aspect that violates persons with disabilities' basic feeling of security, weakens trust in the social environment, and has a substantial impact on the development of individual stress-reduction techniques.

The study conducted a comparative analysis of coping techniques of people with disabilities who had and had not experienced bullying, as well as an examination of the gender characteristics of the structure of coping behaviour. It has been established that individuals who have experienced bullying retain problem-solving strategies, specifically planning, active self-mastery, and acceptance, indicating a desire to maintain control over the situation and adapt to difficult life circumstances even in the face of negative social experiences. At the same time, the role of emotionally orientated and avoidant tactics, which serve as psychological protection by lessening the intensity of internal tension and emotional pain, is reinforced in the framework of coping behaviour.

According to a comparative study, bullying is associated with a decrease in the use of social resources for coping, as seen by a more limited use of emotional and instrumental social supports. This propensity could be attributed to the experience of social rejection, the development of distrust of the surroundings, and the desire for psychological detachment as a kind of self-protection. Simultaneously, the low intensity of maladaptive forms of coping, particularly behaviourally destructive techniques, demonstrates the presence of internal resources for improving the structure of stress response.

The findings support the feasibility of developing and implementing psychological interventions aimed at integrating existing constructive coping strategies with the development of conscious emotional regulation, reducing avoidant forms of response, and gradually restoring trust in social resources. The application of such measures is regarded as an essential condition for improving the psychological well-being and social adaptation of people with disabilities who have been bullied.