Assessment of Socio-economic, Psychological Needs and Expectations of Internally Displaced Persons in Ukraine

Abstract

"The article investigates the socio-economic and psychological conditions and needs of 123 IDPs in the city of Uman, Cherkasy region, Ukraine, and identifies their qualifications and the possibility of employment in their speciality, access to useful information, the possibility of receiving state assistance and meeting basic needs, reveals violations of the psycho-emotional state and the need for rehabilitation, the state of physical and mental health, etc. It is proved that a prerequisite for successful adaptation of IDPs to new realities is to take into account their psycho-emotional state. The most common stress factors are constant anxiety about their relatives and friends, inability to meet basic needs and internal fear of an unknown future. The study identified security, economic, social and psychological reasons that prevent people from returning to their places of residence and reasons that may encourage IDPs to return home. The study identified the following types of activities that have a therapeutic effect: bibliotherapy, nature therapy, isotherapy, music therapy, dance, sound, and occupational therapy. It has been found that 82.5% of IDPs do not realise the need for meetings with a psychologist to improve their psycho-emotional state, 13.8% of IDPs are conscious of their own mental well-being, and only 2.4% of IDPs are unsure."