Background. The forced digitalization of everyday life poses tasks for psychology to study manifestations of the personal characteristics of the subject associated with interpersonal communication in the virtual reality environment. It is assumed that a high level of emotional intelligence, formed attachment to close people and a high level of the spatial ability development will contribute to the success of interaction with a digital avatar. 

Objective. The study had its purpose to investigate the manifestations of emotional intelligence, spatial abilities and types of attachment to close people as factors determining success of interaction with a virtual avatar in the virtual reality environment, assessed through the relevance of the emotional-facial expression demonstrated by him. 

Sample. The study involved 55 university students aged 18 to 25. 

Methods. A battery of tests were used for diagnostics of the level of emotional intelligence development, spatial abilities, and types of attachment to close people. After that, the subjects participated in a quasi-experiment organized by means of the VR technology (CAVE system) to investigate the features of interaction with virtual avatars. 

Results. The study allowed to reveal the features of behavior in virtual reality in the subjects with different levels of emotional intelligence, spatial abilities and type of attachment when interacting with virtual avatars. It is shown that effectiveness of solving a simulated communicative task in virtual reality depends on the level of development of a person’s spatial abilities. 

Conclusions. It was revealed that insecure types of attachment correspond to lower levels of emotional intelligence, and the level of anxiety in close relationships determines the ability to manage emotions. There is a connection between the level of development of spatial abilities and the subject’s emotional intelligence.

Background. In the context of modern comprehensive psychological rehabilitation, habilitation, and readaptation of combat veterans, there is a high need to develop effective methods for reducing their distress and anxiety.

Objective. The study had its purpose to provide a theoretical review for substantiating the scientific and methodological principles of resocialization for combat veterans.

Methods. The study employed the method of theoretical analysis and generalization of domestic and foreign sources on the problem of resocialization for combat veterans.

Results. Meta-analytic data indicate that systematic desensitization based on virtual reality demonstrates effectiveness in reducing anxiety and distress in post-traumatic stress disorder and social phobias, offering advantages over traditional exposure therapy, including greater procedural flexibility and consideration of patient preferences. Its integration with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, biofeedback, and transcranial stimulation enhances the therapeutic effect. Public speaking training in a virtual reality environment appears prospective for promoting active resocialization by developing communication and speech skills.

Conclusions. The innovative method of cognitive-behavioral therapy by means of virtual reality exposure enables high potential for restoring the integrity of personality functioning by creating situations in which the individuals actively organize their own activity. Systematic desensitization in virtual reality, supplemented by the principle of subject's activity implemented through public speaking training, serves as an effective means of reducing distress and developing communication skills. It can be regarded as a promising direction in the resocialization of combat veterans. The conducted analysis highlights the necessity of normative regulation of resocialization as a comprehensive set of measures including systematic desensitization, social support, training and, consequently, the establishment of specialized socio-rehabilitation institutions for combat veterans.