Characteristics of War Stress Experienced by Ukrainians

The study examined the impact of war stress on the mental health of Ukrainian civilians who stayed in Ukraine or who went abroad due to the war in Ukraine. Psychological traumatism because of the threats that war brings is manifested in increased severity of post-traumatic stress disorders, the so-called «complex trauma», depressive tendencies, sleep disorders, etc. The sample included 338 Ukrainians; post-traumatic stress disorder was observed in 35% of civilian Ukrainian women and 12.5% of civilian Ukrainian men (according to the results of an online survey using the PSL- 5 questionnaire). Among Ukrainian women who had minor children and were abroad, 40.5% had severe symptoms of PTSD. Depression measured with the PHQ-9 questionnaire showed that more than half (57.8%) of the surveyed Ukrainian women had moderate or worse depressive symptoms, in addition, 30, 1% had moderately severe or severe depression. Among men, almost a third (32.1%) had at least moderate depressive symptoms, but more severe forms occurred significantly less than those in women. The online survey on sleep disorders was conducted using the ISI questionnaire. At least moderate sleep disorders were observed in 39.5% of Ukrainian women and 28.6% of Ukrainian men. In addition, among Ukrainian men and women who were abroad, the indicators of PTSD, depression and sleep disorders were significantly higher than corresponding indicators among those who stayed in Ukraine. The study results showed the need to implement programs of medical, psychological and psychosocial support and rehabilitation, which millions of Ukrainians need.