Ukrainian Refugees in Germany: How Locus of Control and Anxieties Influence Intentions to Integrate and Return

The article explores the dynamics of psychological factors influencing the integration and repatriation intentions of Ukrainian refugees in Germany. Based on two waves of an online survey (July 2023 - January 2024, N=2917), the evolution of locus of control and anxiety levels and their relationship with migrants' life strategies are analysed, and the dynamics of the evolution of intentions to stay in Germany or return to Ukraine in the context of five waves of the survey (May 2022 - January 2024, N=5899) are investigated. The results of the survey are presented, which reveal a paradoxical trend: despite the traumatic experience of displacement, the average level of subjective control among refugees exceeds pre-war Ukrainian indicators. The article emphasises the differentiation in terms of migration intentions revealed by the survey: people with long-term plans to stay in Germany demonstrate greater freedom of will (6.9-7/10) compared to those who plan to return (5.1/10) or are hesitant (5.9/10). The survey results reveal a clear hierarchy of anxieties among Ukrainian refugees in Germany. The most significant stress factor is the uncertainty of the prospects of returning to Ukraine, which outweighs the level of concern over potential legal difficulties of staying or the risk of deportation. This anxiety is particularly acute among respondents who are consciously focused on repatriation. Ukrainian refugees are characterised by a relatively low level of concern about xenophobia and discrimination, which have traditionally been central to migration studies of previous waves. This specificity is likely due to a combination of two factors: the exceptionally friendly attitude of German society towards Ukrainian refugees and the systemic support for Ukraine at all levels of German politics and civil society. This creates a unique social context that significantly distinguishes the experience of Ukrainian refugees from the migration cohorts of previous years.