Kantar, one of the most influential Ukrainian research companies, presented the results of a study of the psychological state of the population. These data will be used in the future to form a psychosocial support program that was recently initiated by Olena Zelenska.
It is noted that Ukrainians between the ages of 18 and 55 from settlements with a population of more than 50,000 took part in the online survey. The key findings of the study can be found below.
1. The subjective assessment of the psychological well-being of Ukrainians is quite high - 6.7 points out of 9 possible. The biggest contribution to the feeling of psychological well-being is the component of self-esteem (positive attitude of respondents towards themselves). At the same time, instrumental components of well-being, such as the ability to self-regulate emotions and master complex emotional states or the ability to cope with life challenges, are rated worse. This situation indicates that the phase of psychological mobilization in society in connection with the war is still ongoing, but resources for its further maintenance may be lacking.
2. The majority of respondents (over 90%) had manifestations of at least one of the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and 57% of citizens are at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder.
3. 40% of respondents experienced a threat to their own life and/or were direct witnesses of such threats in connection with being in a combat zone and/or under shelling. More than 41% of citizens have relatives or loved ones who were or are in the war zone, including 16% who have lost someone close to them. 6% of respondents were under occupation, were directly threatened with violence or witnessed such threats.
4. About 70% of respondents did not feel the need to seek psychological help during the last month. Only 3% of respondents received such help, and another 23% would like to consult a psychologist, but have not yet realized this desire.
The war will have direct and indirect consequences for the mental health and well-being of Ukrainians. According to the WHO, 20% of the population living in areas affected by military conflicts in the last 10 years have some form of mental disorder, ranging from mild depression and anxiety to psychosis, and almost one in ten people have a moderate or severe mental disorder. So, if we predict that 15.7 million people in Ukraine will need psychological help, then 3.5 million of them will have some mental health disorder, and 800,000 people will have a moderate or severe mental disorder
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