Social Expectations in Society as a Mechanism for the Re-socialization of Participants of Combat Operations

Introduction. The aim is to reveal the nature of the influence of social expectations on resocialization processes in veterans of combat operations and, on this basis, to investigate the conceptual model of transformation of the social function of the state, the transition to creating an infrastructure of social expectations through the formation of the institution of «architects of the social space» and the design of communicative interfaces between social systems. Materials and Methods. The authors conducted qualitative semi-structured interviews with veterans, a pilot quantitative survey of respondents-psychology students of military university (n=48), which included four dichotomous positions; participation was anonymous and voluntary. Results and Discussion. Different groups (categories of veterans) are distinguished: according to the psychological consequences of participation in combat operations — stable, showing post-traumatic growth, ����������������������������������������������������������������������«���������������������������������������������������������������������remaining in war�����������������������������������������������������»����������������������������������������������������, undergoing crisis of readaptation and resocialization, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder; according to socialization potential — military servicemen and law enforcement officers, volunteers, the mobilized, prisoners contracted to the military, female veterans, the wounded and the disabled, etc. The full resocialization of veterans involves taking into account psychological characteristics, building different routes for their resocialization, increasing the resocialization opportunities provided by society, increasing the activity of pro-social groups, implementing adequate resocialization schemes for veterans. Instead of a pathological narrative (emphasis on post-traumatic stress disorder), society and the media need to form positive, creative expectations, emphasizing the post-traumatic growth, resilience, and status of veterans as the country’s «true elite». Conclusions. Successful resocialization requires science-based programs that take into consideration the diversity of veterans and their identities, as well as two key working models: peer groups from the inside for gradual adaptation and work «from the outside» to help those already at the social bottom. Each category requires a special approach and route of integration into peaceful life. The state system of governance should create conditions for the active energy of society to define itself, «as it should be», and implement this in practice. This transforms support for veterans from a set of government measures into an organic part of public life, legitimized from below.