Challenges in the Social and Psychological Adaptation of Ukrainian Forced Migrants (in the Context of Poland)

The dramatic changes that have taken place in Ukraine since the time of full-scale military operations have caused a fatal demographic, social and economic crisis, which has led to significant changes in people’s lifestyles, migration of a large number of Ukrainian citizens who have to adapt to the new living conditions and integrate into the receiving country. This definitely affected the social attitudes and mental states of both the forced (war) migrants and the receiving nations, who also have to adapt to coexistence with representatives of other culture. Among the main factors that hinder the social and psychological adaptation of forced migrants in the new settings are the following: language barrier, lack of communication within the Polish community, difficulties related to the legalization of stay, and working in a field unrelated to their specialization. The lack of constructive communication and interaction with local residents leads to the appearance of maladaptive feelings in forced migrants ‒ alienation, social isolation, uselessness and futility. Further development and self-realization of an individual in society depends on the result of social and psychological adaptation. A significant factor influencing one’s adjustment to a new reality is the position (active or passive) an individual adopts that is, the readiness to accept the existing situation and change one’s attitudes, behavior and way of life. This choice determines various personal strategies of adaptive behavior. Social integration of migrants is a two-way process characterized not only by adaptation (in social, economic, cultural and psychological aspects) of people to a new environment, but also by the reaction of hosting society to changes and its adaptation to migrants as well. Therefore, it is important to develop a strategy of behavior 42 | WEEReview 13 | 2024 and interaction on the basis of tolerance and mutual understanding that would satisfy both parties.