The motivational sphere of military personnel and the identification of key determinants shaping it

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33405/2078-7480/2025/95/4/353268

Keywords:

motivational sphere, motivation of military personnel, determinants of the motivational sphere of military personnel

Abstract

The article presents an extended theoretical and methodological analysis of the motivational sphere of personality, highlighting its complex, multidimensional structure and the dynamic transformations it undergoes under various life and professional conditions. Particular emphasis is placed on clarifying the psychological mechanisms and determinants that shape the development, regulation, and expression of motivation, especially in demanding, high-stress professional environments that require rapid adaptation and sustained self-regulation. The study proposes an integrated conceptual model of the motivational sphere that includes value-orientation, mobilization, actualization, and realization components, each corresponding to distinct psychological processes and stages of motivated behavior.
A special focus is devoted to the motivational development of military personnel, whose professional activity is influenced by a unique combination of internal dispositions and external situational factors. The article identifies key determinants such as intrinsic motivation, internalized military values, a sense of duty and responsibility, discipline, professional competence and preparedness, family relationships, social and institutional support systems, leadership quality, group cohesion, and psychological resilience. These factors are examined as interrelated elements that collectively shape adaptive capacity, operational effectiveness, emotional stability, and readiness to perform under conditions of risk, uncertainty, and prolonged tension.
The article underscores the importance of viewing the motivational sphere as a holistic and evolving psychological system. Such an approach enables more precise assessment of motivational states and allows for the development of targeted, evidence-based strategies to enhance the functional and psychological readiness of military personnel. The analysis provides a solid conceptual foundation for future empirical studies and for improving psychological support programs, training methodologies, and motivational interventions within the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine.

References

Zaniuk S. S. (1997). Psykholohiia motyvatsii ta emotsii [Psychology of motivation and emotions]. Lutsk: Volynskyi derzhavnyi universytet imeni Lesi Ukrainky. Retrieved from: https://surl.li/cqxugu (accessed 12 November 2025) [in Ukrainian].

Prokopenko O. V. (2006). Teoriia motyvatsii [Theory of Motivation]. Sumy: SumDU. Retrieved from: https://surl.li/voxnur (accessed 15 November 2025) [in Ukrainian].

Podshyvailov F. M. (2015). Psykholohichni chynnyky rozvytku motyvatsiinoi sfery osobystosti maibutnoho psykholoha [Psychological factors in the development of the motivational sphere of the personality of a future psychologist]. Phd thesis. Kyiv : Universytet imeni Borysa Hrinchenka. P. 235. Retrieved from: https://surl.li/hnpayo (accessed 12 November 2025) [in Ukrainian].

Sheldon, K. M., & Elliot, A. J. (1999). Goal striving, need satisfaction, and longitudinal well-being: The self-concordance model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 76 (3), pp. 482–497. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.76.3.482 [in English].

Heckhausen, J., Wrosch, C., & Schulz, R. (2010). A motivational theory of life-span development. Psychological Review, 117 (1), pp. 32–60. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017668 [in English].

Ryan R. M., Deci E. L. (2022). Self-determination theory. In Michalos A. C. (ed.). Encyclopedia of quality of life and well-being research. Cham : Springer International Publishing, pp. 1–7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69909-7_2630-2 [in English].

Podshyvailov F. M., Serhieienkova O. P. (2015). Motyvatsiina sfera osobystosti: diahnostychno-rozvyvalnyi putivnyk [Motivational sphere of personality: diagnostic and developmental guide]. Kyiv: Іnstytut obdarovanoi dytyny NAPN Ukrainy. Retrieved from: https://surl.li/njqzsq (accessed 13 November 2025) [in Ukrainian].

Richard Gabriel (1982). To Serve With Honor: a Treatise on Military Ethics and the Way of the Soldier. Westport, Connecticut:

Greenwood Press. Retrieved from: https://philpapers.org/rec/GABTSW-2 (accessed 12 November 2026) [in English].

Olsthoorn P. (2005). Honor as a Motive for Making Sacrifices. Journal of Military Ethics, (4) 3, pp. 183‒197. Retrieved from: https://surl.lt/qecvsf (accessed 13 November 2025) [in English].

Janowitz M. (1960). The Professional Soldier: A Social and Political Portrait. Glencoe, Illinois : The Free Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2574160 [in English].

C.A.C.I. (1978, April 27). Military self-discipline: a motivational analysis. Washington, DC offices. Final Report. Retrieved from: https://surl.li/ldkupu (accessed 14 November 2025) [in English]

Robert J MacCoun (1993). What is known about unit cohesion and military performance. Sexual orientation and US military personnel policy: Options and assessment. Santa Monica, CA RAND, pp. 283‒331. Retrieved from: https://surl.li/dfopej (accessed 15 November 2025) [in English].

United States Army Cadet Command (2023). CCR 145-3: Army Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps. On-Campus Training and Leadership Development. Fort Knox, KY: USACC. Retrieved from: https://surl.lu/zriapv (accessed 15 November 2025) [in English].

Roszyk-Kowalska Gabriela, Duda Maciej (2017). Promotion as a motivational tool based on the example of Antonin Forest Inspectorate. World Scientific News, no. 89, pp. 306‒316. Retrieved from: https://surl.li/kdsbww (accessed 16 November 2025) [in English].

Qatawneh, A. M. (2023). The role of employee empowerment in supporting accounting information systems outcomes: A mediated model. Sustainability, 15 (9). Retrieved from: https://surl.li/gmizzp (accessed 16 November 2025). [in English].

Tiffany Sauber Millacci (2023). Employee Recognition: How to Motivate and Reward Your Team. Positive psychology.com. Retrieved from: https://positivepsychology.com/employee-recognition/ (accessed 16 November 2025) [in English].

Thomas, K. W. and B. A. Velthouse (1990). Cognitive elements of empowerment: An "interpretive" model of intrinsic task motivation. Academy of Management Review, 15 (4), pp. 666‒681. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5465/amr. 1990.4310926 [in English].

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1987). The Support of Autonomy and the Control of Behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53 (6), pp. 1024‒1037. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.53.6.1024 [in English].

Kanfer, R. (1990). Motivation theory and industrial and organizational psychology. In M. D. Dunette and L. M. Hough (Eds.). Handbook of industrial and organizational psychology (Second ed.), vol. 1, pp. 75‒170. Palo Alto, CA. : Consulting Psychologists Press, Inc. Retrieved from: https://surli.cc/wosqxh (accessed 17 November 2025) [in English].

Thomas, K. W. and W. G. Tymon, Jr. (1995). Interpretive styles that contribute to job-related stress: Two studies of managerial and professional employees. Anxiety, Stress, and Coping, vol. 8, iss. 3, pp. 235‒250. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10615809508249376 [in English].

Rodriguez, J., & Walters, K. (2017). The Importance of Training and Development in Employee Performance and Evaluation. World Wide Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, vol. 3, no. 10, рр. 206–212. Retrieved from: https://wwjmrd.com/upload/1509114292.pdf (accessed 14 November 2025) [in English].

Courtney Dock (2018). Military families are a key to the overall readiness of the force. US Army official site. Retrieved from: https://surl.lt/gcoksp (accessed 17 November 2025) [in English].

Welsh, J. A., Olson, J., Perkins, D. F. et al. (2015). The Role of Natural Support Systems in the Post-deployment Adjustment of Active Duty Military Personnel. American Journal of Community Psychol, no. 56, pp. 69–78. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-015-9726-y [in English].

Netczuk-Gwoździewicz M. (2023). Psychological preparation of soldiers for military service. Scientific Journal of the Military University of Land Forces, vol. 208, no. 2, pp. 104‒111. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0053.7269 [in English].

Lytvynchuk O. V. (2021). Vplyv motyvatsiinykh faktoriv na rezultatyvnist diialnosti derzhavnykh sluzhbovtsiv [The influence of motivational factors on the performance of civil servants]. Economika, upravlinnia ta administration, no. 1 (95), pp. 62–65. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26642/ema-2021-1(95)-62-65 [in Ukrainian].

Parkulab O., Kotilok T. (2019). Viiskova dystsyplina yak komponent psykholohichnoi hotovnosti osobystosti do armiiskoi sluzhby [Military discipline as a component of psychological readiness of an individual for military service]. Zbirnyk naukovykh prats: psykholohiia, iss. 24, pp. 103‒112. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15330/psp.24.103-112 [in Ukrainian].

Kokun O. M., Moroz V. M., Pishko I. O., Lozinska N. S. (2021). Formuvannia psykholohichnoi hotovnosti viiskovosluzhbovtsiv viiskovoi sluzhby za kontraktom do vykonannia zavdan za pryznachenniam pid chas boiovoho zlahodzhennia [Formation of psychological readiness of military personnel of military service under contract to perform assigned tasks during combat coordination]. Kyiv : 7BTs. Retrieved from: https://lib.iitta.gov.ua/id/eprint/726799/ (accessed 18 November 2025) [in Ukrainian].

Leshchenko S. V., Prykhodko I. I. (2024). Psykholohiia viiskovoho liderstva: teorii, pryntsypy, kompetentnosti [Psychology of military leadership: theories, principles, competencies]. Psychology and Society, no. 2, pp. 157‒178. DOI: https://doi.org/10.35774/pis2024.02.157 [in Ukrainian].

Antonenko T. L. (2019). Psykholohichni zasady stanovlennia tsinnisno-smyslovoi sfery osobystosti maibutnoho fakhivtsia [Psychological principles of the formation of the value-semantic sphere of the personality of a future specialist]. Doctorʹs thesis. Kyiv: Natsionalnyi pedahohichnyi universytet imeni M. P. Dragomanova. 527 p. Retrieved from: https://surl.li/lrhvyk (accessed 20 November 2025) [in Ukrainian].

Kuznietsov M. A. (2012). Motyvatsiia liudyny: osnovni formy ta zakonomirnosti funktsionuvannia [Human motivation: basic forms and patterns of functioning]. Visnyk Kharkivskoho natsionalnoho pedahohichnoho universytetu imeni H. S. Skovorody. Seriia: psykholohiia, vol. 44 (1), pp. 116‒137. Retrieved from: http://nbuv.gov.ua/UJRN/VKhnpu_psykhol_2012_44%281%29__16 (accessed 20 November 2025) [in Ukrainian].

Schultheiss O. C., Brunstein J. C. (2010). Implicit motives. Oxford : Oxford University Press. Retrieved from: https://surl.lt/hjcpwg (accessed 20 November 2025) [in English].

Helm P. J., Lifshin U., Greenberg J. (2020). Terror management theory. The Wiley Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences, Models and Theories. Wiley. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119547143.ch69 [in English].

Frankl V. E. (2014). Man's Search for Meaning. Boston : Beacon Press. Retrieved from: https://surl.li/asgjdo (accessed 20 November 2025) [in English].

Cherry, K. Murray's (2022). Theory of Psychogenic Needs. Verywell Mind. Retrieved from: https://surl.lu/jtksry (accessed 20 November 2025) [in English].

Reeve J. (2018). Understanding Motivation and Emotion (7th ed.). Hoboken : Wiley. Retrieved from: https://surl.li/xlxgvm (accessed 20 November 2025) [in English].

McClelland D. C. (1987). Human Motivation. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from: https://surl.li/mmjifa (accessed 20 November 2025) [in English].

Maslow A. H. (1954). Motivation and Personality. New York : Harper & Row. Retrieved from: https://pdfroom.com/books/motivation-and-personality/JzydDz71214 (accessed 20 November 2025) [in English].

Wong, L., Kolditz, T., Millen, R., Potter, T. (2003). Why They Fight: Combat Motivation in the Iraq War. Carlisle, PA : Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College. Retrieved from: https://surl.li/wcmlqw (accessed 20 November 2025) [in English].

Huntington S. P. (1957). The Soldier and the State: The Theory and Politics of Civil-Military Relations. Cambridge, MA : Harvard University Press. Retrieved from: https://surl.li/iinpls (accessed 20 November 2025) [in English].

Moskos C. (1977). From Institution to Occupation: Trends in Military Organization. Armed Forces & Society, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 41–50. Retrieved from: https://surli.cc/ctgccm (accessed 20 November 2025) [in English].

Soeters J., Winslow D., Weibull A. (2006). Military Culture. Handbook of the Sociology of the Military. Eds. G. Caforio. New York : Springer, pp. 237–254. Retrieved from: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/0-387-34576-0_14 (accessed 20 November 2025) [in English].

Thuy Thi Diem Vo (2022). Work Motivation: The Roles of Individual Needs and Social Relatedness. Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 13. DOI:10.3390/bs12020049. [in English].

Kasperczuk A., Ćwiąkała M., Górka E. et al. (2025). The Role of Work-Life Balance in Effective Business Management. Preprint. Retrieved from: https://surl.li/zsuchy (accessed 20 November 2025) [in English].

Kasperczuk A., Ćwiąkała M., Górka E. et al. (2025). The Challenge of Employee Motivation in Business Management. Preprint. Retrieved from: https://surl.li/xqpihj (accessed 20 November 2025) [in English].

Gibb, Nontasak, & Dolgin (1988) (cited in Problem of Naval Aviator Retention). The Problem of Naval Aviator Retention. Bill Sherrod, LinkedIn (2025). Retrieved from: https://surl.li/nvghio (accessed 20 November 2025) [in English]

Herasymenko M. V., Dembitskyi V. M., Kostenko Yu. I., Maliuha V. M., Romanyshyn A. M., Rozhkov Ye. O. (2025). Formuvannia motyvatsiinoi hotovnosti viiskovosluzhbovtsiv do vykonannia zavdan za pryznachenniam [Formation of motivational readiness of military personnel to perform assigned tasks]. Kyiv: NDTs HP ZS Ukrainy. Retrieved from: http://search.nbuv.gov.ua/publ/REF-0000861333 (accessed 20 November 2026) [in Ukrainian].

Published

2025-12-29

How to Cite

Avilov, I. (2025). The motivational sphere of military personnel and the identification of key determinants shaping it. Honor and Law, (4 (95), 8–19. https://doi.org/10.33405/2078-7480/2025/95/4/353268

Issue

Section

Articles