Institute of Sociology NASU

Wartime psychological stressors: proliferation and effects among the Ukrainian population

stmm. 2024 (4): 5-26

DOI https://doi.org/10.15407/sociology2024.04.005

Full text:

SERHII DEMBITSKYI, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Sciences in Sociology, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Deputy Director, Institute of Sociology, NAS of Ukraine (12, Shovkovychna St., Kyiv, 01021)

sociotest.solution@gmail.com

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7958-3557

VIKTOR STEPANENKO, Doctor of Sociological Sciences, Chief Research Fellow at the Department of History and Theory of Sociology, Institute of Sociology, NAS of Ukraine (12, Shovkovychna St., Kyiv, 01021)

vikstepa@gmail.com

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3623-0057

OLENA ZLOBINA, Doctor of Sciences in Sociology, Head of the Department of Social Psychology, Institute of Sociology, NAS of Ukraine (12, Shovkovychna St., Kyiv, 01021)

ezlobina@ukr.net

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2593-788X

YEVHEN GOLOVAKHA, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Sciences in Philosophy, Director of the Institute of Sociology, NAS of Ukraine (12, Shovkovychna St., Kyiv, 01021)

golos100@gmail.com

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2961-1262

LUBOV NAIDIONOVA, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Sciences in Psychology, Deputy Director of the Institute of Social and Political Psychology, NAES of Ukraine (15, Andrijivska St., Kyiv. 04070); Professor at the Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences (1, Stefana Jarasza, Warsaw, 00-378)

mediasicolo@gmail.com

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1222-295X

The article examines the impact of various wartime stressors on the mental health of the Ukrainian population. The psychological state of the population is assessed through indicators of psychological distress.

A review of wartime stressors identified in previous research is presented, forming the basis for the authors’ proposed list of stressors (28 in total) encountered by the Ukrainian population.

Through the empirical evaluation of these stressors, 12 general groups of stressors were identified: 1) experiences of being in dangerous situations; 2) lack of essential services (broadly defined); 3) challenges related to relocation to new permanent residences; 4) material hardships; 5) prolonged absence from home and separation from family; 6) discrimination, lack of family support, and moral dilemmas; 7) conflicts with family and others, exacerbated by the war; 8) health issues, both personal and familial; 9) the threat to one’s own life or the lives of family members as a probability; 10) large-scale negative effects (such as distressing news and issues with basic utilities); 11) traumatic memories, particularly of mass panic; 12) the burden of responsibility for others.

Using a generalized analytical model (developed through multiple regression: F = 34.8; df = 14; p-value < 0.001; R2 = 14.6%), seven specific stressors were found to have the most significant impact on respondents’ psychological distress: 1) lack of family support when needed; 2) the necessity of engaging in morally condemnable actions due to severe circumstances; 3) discrimination based on social group affiliation; 4) memories of past stressful experiences and corresponding negative emotions; 5) significant financial or material losses; 6) health issues affecting family members; 7) emotional distress caused by exposure to media (radio, TV, internet).

Keywords: psychological distress, wartime stressors, social support, moral dilemma, discrimination, traumatic memories, financial deprivation, deterioration of physical health, media traumatization

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Received 14.10.2024