Specific challenges and issues of families of special military operation participants: results from focus group discussions

The article analyzes the data of focus group discussions with representatives of families of participants of the special military operation, conducted in March 2024. The study examined the issues related to everyday life, information awareness and accessibility barriers, existing support measures. The discussions revealed that the main conflict-causing factor for this group is the manifestation of polarization and negative societal attitudes towards the special military operation and its participants. Representatives of their families often face misunderstanding in the family, among colleagues and acquaintances, sarcastic remarks about payments, as well as indifference of others to their experiences. The author examines the factors of insufficient awareness of prescribed support measures, specific difficulties in obtaining state-mandated benefits and preferences for military families.