ISSN 2520-6265 (print)
ISSN 2520-6273 (online)
Authors:
A. O. Kurapov, PhD in Psychology, Assistant,
Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg
ORCID: 0000-0002-1286-9788
E-mail: ankurapov@knu.ua
I. V. Danyliuk, DSc. in Psychological Sciences, Professor,
Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine,
Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
ORCID: 0000-0002-6522-5994
E-mail: danyliuk@knu.ua
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/upj.2024.2(22).4
Article Information
Issue: 2(22) 2024, pages: 62-75
Language: Ukrainian
Received: 07.10.2024
1st Revision: 11.10.2024
Accepted: 15.10.2024
The Russo-Ukrainian war, ongoing since 2014 and escalating into a full-scale invasion in 2022, has significantly impacted the mental health of the population in Ukraine and beyond. Numerous studies reveal high levels of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) among Ukrainians directly exposed to the hostilities. These disorders are associated with prolonged stress caused by the loss of loved ones, destruction of infrastructure, economic instability, and constant threats to life. In neighboring countries such as Poland and Romania, elevated levels of anxiety and depression have been identified due to the influx of refugees, fears of conflict escalation, and socio-economic challenges. Even in distant countries, including Taiwan, Oman, and Ecuador, psychological consequences were observed due to media pressure and the global economic ramifications of the war. Gender differences are also significant: women were more likely to exhibit symptoms of PTSD and CPTSD, explained by both biological factors and sociocultural roles in crisis situations. A critical risk factor was the informational impact, particularly the frequent consumption of news about the war, which correlated with heightened levels of anxiety and stress. The findings underscore the importance of developing adaptive psychological support programs for various population groups. Such programs should account for cultural characteristics, ensure access to professional assistance, and promote resilience. These measures can help mitigate the consequences of war for both directly affected individuals and those experiencing its indirect effects.
Key words: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, mental health, gender differences, psychological support, Russo-Ukrainian war, informational impact.
References transliterated:
Chudzicka-Czupała, A., et al. (2023). Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress during the Russo-Ukrainian war: A comparison of populations in Poland, Ukraine, and Taiwan. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 3602. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-28729-3
Eshel, Y., Kimhi, S., Marciano, H., & Adini, B. (2023). Predictors of PTSD and psychological distress symptoms of Ukraine civilians during war. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 17, e429. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2023.69
Goodwin, R., Hamama-Raz, Y., Leshem, E., & Ben-Ezra, M. (2023). National resilience in Ukraine following the 2022 Russian invasion. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 85(3), 103487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.103487
Hobfoll, S. E., Tirone, V., Holmgreen, L., & Gerhart, J. (2016). Conservation of resources theory applied to major stress. In G. Fink (Ed.), Stress: Concepts, cognition, emotion, and behavior (pp. 65–71). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2013-0-12842-5
Hyland, P., Vallières, F., Shevlin, M., Karatzias, T., Ben-Ezra, M., & McElroy, E., et al. (2023). Psychological consequences of war in Ukraine: Assessing changes in mental health among Ukrainian parents. Psychological Medicine, 53(15), 7466–7468. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291723000818
Kalaitzaki, A., et al. (2024). The mental health toll of the Russian-Ukraine war across 11 countries: Cross-sectional data on war-related stressors, PTSD and CPTSD symptoms. Psychiatry Research, 342, 116248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2024.116248
Lushchak, O., Velykodna, M., Bolman, S., Strilbytska, O., Berezovskyi, V., & Storey, K. B. (2024). Prevalence of stress, anxiety, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder among Ukrainians after the first year of Russian invasion: A nationwide cross-sectional study. The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, 36, 100773. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100773
Palace, M., Zamazii, O., Terbeck, S., Bokszczanin, A., Berezovski, T., Gurbisz, D., & Szwejka, L. (2023). Mapping the factors behind ongoing war stress in Ukraine-based young civilian adults. Appl. Psychol. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12493
Riad, A., Drobov, A., Krobot, M., Antalová, N., Alkasaby, M. A., Peřina, A., & Koščík, M. (2022). Mental Health Burden of the Russian–Ukrainian War 2022 (RUW-22): Anxiety and Depression Levels among Young Adults in Central Europe. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(14), 8418. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148418
Shevlin, M., et al. (2018). ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD diagnostic prevalence in Ukraine. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 138(6), 536–546. https://doi.org/10.1111/acps.12956