The Stability of Mental Health During War: Survey Data from Ukraine

Abstract

Identifying psychological resources that can protect against the impact of war on mental health is an important endeavor. The aim of this study was to determine the stability of correlations between positive and negative indicators of mental health in a sample of Ukrainian citizens during the ongoing war, and to assess possible gender differences. A total of 359 respondents aged 18–61 from all regions of Ukraine completed self-reported surveys at two time points eight months apart (June–July 2022 and February–March 2023). Surveys included three scales reflecting positive aspects of mental health (resilience, self-efficacy, and hardiness) and two reflecting negative aspects (PTSD symptoms and pressure of physical complaints). Significant negative correlations (r values ranged from −.23 to −.47; p < .001) between two positive indicators (resilience and self-efficacy) and the two negative indicators remained practically unchanged over the eight-month period. These relationships were almost equally stable in men and women. Findings expand current knowledge on the consequences of war for mental health and highlight resilience and self-efficacy as potential protective factors against the deterioration of civilian mental health during war.