Neuropsychological Factors and Practical Methods of Maintaining Mental Health in Special Conditions

Abstract

The article is devoted to the theoretical and empirical study of athletes’ psychological health involved in extreme sports, the definition of psychological and social factors of its preservation problem. The essence and indicators of psychological health of a person have been clarified. The analysis of the study results made it possible to single out stable (the degree of awareness and positivity of the “I-concept”, the ability and desire for self-development, satisfaction with life) and variable (reflexivity, level of self-regulation, communication, locus of control) indicators for psychological health of extreme athletes. Based on the study in the content of the psychological health of athletes’ characteristics, its social and psychological factors were determined. The main psychological factors of maintaining psychological health include satisfaction with activities, internality, positive "I-concept", the ability of self-government, self-regulation, subjective well-being. The main social factors include extreme conditions of activity, high professional and family status, availability of social support. It has been proven that the presence of the maximum extreme experience leads to a significant decrease in all indicators of psychological health, causing severe maladjustment, emotional and personal problems. The main directions of improving the process of preserving psychological health of extreme sportsmen have been proposed. Allocation of the components of psychological health and determination of socio and psychological factors that determine its preservation, made it possible to form tasks for psychological prevention and correction: teaching positive self-attitude and acceptance of others; learning reflexive skills; the formation of the need for self-development.