International Journal of Science Annals, Vol. 7, No. 2, 2024 рrint ISSN: 2617-2682; online ISSN: 2707-3637; DOI:10.26697/ijsa SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. Psychology ORIGINAL RESEARCH Mental Health and Life Satisfaction of University Students Influenced by War Authors’ Contribution: A – Study design; Melnyk Y. B. 1,2 ADEF , Stadnik A. V. 1,3 BDE , Mykhaylyshyn U. B.3 BD , B – Data collection; Vveinhardt J. 4,5 FE , De Frias C. M. 6,7 E , Pypenko I. S. 1,2 CDE C – Statistical analysis; D – Data interpretation; 1 Kharkiv Regional Public Organization “Culture of Health”, Ukraine E – Manuscript preparation; 2 Scientific Research Institute KRPOCH, Ukraine F – Literature search; 3 Uzhhorod National University, Ukraine G – Funds collection 4 Institute of Sport Science and Innovations, Lithuania 5 Lithuanian Sports University, Lithuania 6 University of Alberta, Canada 7 MacEwan University, Canada Received: 20.11.2024; Accepted: 22.12.2024; Published: 25.12.2024 Abstract Background and The current situation in Ukraine, where active hostilities are taking place, has had Aim of Study: a significant impact on students’ mental health and life satisfaction. The aim of the study: to identify the impact of war on the mental health and life satisfaction of university students. Material and Methods: The study was conducted in Ukraine in November 2024. A total of 219 students between the ages of 18 and 35 were surveyed. Respondents were divided into two groups. Group 1 (n=107): those who had been temporarily displaced (in Ukraine and in EU countries), including 20.6% of men and 79.4% of women. Group 2 (n=112): those who had not left their usual place of residence (Ukraine without active hostilities), including 21.4% of man and 78.6% of women. The mental health and life satisfaction of university students influenced by war were assessed using three psychological measures: the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7). Results: The SWLS, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 scores showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha of 0.827 to 0.961) in both groups of students. Significant negative correlations of high / moderate strength were found between the SWLS and PHQ-9 depression symptoms / the GAD-7 anxiety disorder. Students who had been internally displaced were extremely dissatisfied (13.1%) and dissatisfied (23.4%) with their lives. These levels of dissatisfaction are almost one-third higher than those who did not leave their usual place of residence (8.9% and 17.9%, respectively). Further detailing of mental health features revealed the presence of depression and anxiety among all the studied groups of students. At the same time, severe depression (8.4%), moderately severe depression (29.0%), and severe anxiety (20.6%) were almost twice as common among students in Group 1 as among students in Group 2 and require psychological support. Conclusions: The war had the greatest impact on the mental health and life satisfaction of students who were forced to seek refuge at home and abroad. The data obtained calls for developing and implementing appropriate social and psychological support methods for students affected by the war. These methods should be comprehensive and involve the integration of psychological support into the structure of universities, including individual and group counselling, crisis intervention, psychological training, and student support programmes. Keywords: mental health, life satisfaction, anxiety, depression, students, temporarily displaced persons, war 35 International Journal of Science Annals, Vol. 7, No. 2, 2024 рrint ISSN: 2617-2682; online ISSN: 2707-3637; DOI:10.26697/ijsa Copyright: © 2024 Melnyk Y. B., Stadnik A. V., Mykhaylyshyn U. B., Vveinhardt J., De Frias C. M., Pypenko I. S. Published by Archives of International Journal of Science Annals DOI: https://doi.org/10.26697/ijsa.2024.2.6 Conflict of interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests Peer review: Double-blind review Source of support: This research did not receive any outside funding or support Information about Melnyk Yuriy Borysovych – https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8527-4638; Doctor of the authors: Philosophy in Pedagogy, Affiliated Associate Professor; Chairman of Board, Kharkiv Regional Public Organization “Culture of Health” (KRPOCH); Director, Scientific Research Institute KRPOCH, Ukraine. Stadnik Anatoliy Volodymyrovych – https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1472-4224; Doctor of Philosophy in Medicine, Affiliated Associate Professor, Kharkiv Regional Public Organization “Culture of Health”, Uzhhorod National University, Ukraine. Mykhaylyshyn Ulyana Bohdanivna – https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0225-8115; Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Full Professor; Head of the Department of Psychology, Uzhhorod National University, Ukraine. Vveinhardt Jolita – https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6231-9402; Doctor of Social Sciences, Full Professor, Chief Researcher, Institute of Sport Science and Innovations, Lithuanian Sports University, Lithuania. De Frias Cindy – https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0501-3833; Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, University of Alberta, MacEwan University, Canada. Pypenko Iryna Sergiivna (Corresponding Author) – https://orcid.org/0000-0001- 5083-540X; iryna.pipenko@gmail.com; Doctor of Philosophy in Economics, Affiliated Associate Professor, Secretary of Board, Kharkiv Regional Public Organization “Culture of Health”; Scientific Research Institute KRPOCH, Ukraine. Introduction The last decade has seen an increase in military conflicts This study focuses on the subjective well-being and worldwide. In particular, on the territory of Europe, characteristics of mental disorders of university students Ukraine is currently engaged in a full-scale war on a living in extreme conditions. scale not seen since the Second World War The data obtained are important for the development of (Mykhaylyshyn et al., 2024). appropriate measures of psychological support and As this war threatens the lives of the entire population psychoprophylaxis for students in war conditions. of this country, a significant number of its citizens have been forced to leave their homes and normal lives to Materials and Methods seek refuge within and outside the country. Millions of Participants people have been forced to leave their homes as a result The study was conducted during the Russian-Ukrainian of the massive destruction (Leon et al., 2022; McKee & war at Uzhhorod National University (Ukraine) in Murphy, 2022). All of this has led to significant changes November 2024. The respondents were 219 students in the lives of Ukrainians and affected their mental aged between 18 and 35. They were divided into 2 health. This was particularly felt by more vulnerable groups: groups, including young students (Pypenko et al., 2023). Group 1 – university students who had been temporarily Displacement creates a deep sense of loss, insecurity, displaced, living in a relatively safe place (Ukraine) or and difficulty in adapting to a new environment, and in a safe place (EU country): 107 persons, including 22 disrupts social networks, including family and (20.6%) males and 85 (79.4%) females. community ties. This adds to the emotional burden, Group 2 – university students who had not left their increasing depression and anxiety and affecting quality usual place of residence, living in a relatively safe place of life (Stadnik et al., 2022). (Uzhhorod, Ukraine, area of no active hostilities): 112 University students are experiencing social persons, including 24 (21.4%) males and 88 (78.6%) transformations (social crisis, forced displacement, females. destruction of social ties), educational changes Due to the active phase of the war in Ukraine, the survey (introduction of new technologies based on distance of students was conducted remotely by posting learning), and psychological strain due to constant psychological methods on the Google Forms platform. stress, which affect their quality of life. In addition, students were observed during distance and The aim of the study. To identify the impact of war on face-to-face teaching. Where necessary, individual the mental health and life satisfaction of university interviews were conducted. students. 36 International Journal of Science Annals, Vol. 7, No. 2, 2024 рrint ISSN: 2617-2682; online ISSN: 2707-3637; DOI:10.26697/ijsa Mental Health Measures The psychological methods and research procedure used The Satisfaction with Life Scale, a 5-item scale, SWLS in the study were approved by the Committee on Ethics (Diener et al., 1985) was used to assess students’ life and Research Integrity of the Scientific Research satisfaction and quality of life. In the present study, the Institute KRPOCH (protocol no. 024-1/SRIKRPOCH adapted Ukrainian version of the questionnaire by dated 10.08.2023). Stadnik and Melnyk was used Statistical Analysis (https://forms.gle/9GoFoTZjWnMxrMW5A). All data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS The SWLS aims to measure the overall perception of Statistics for Windows (Version 30.0). quality of life. This allows each respondent to rate the The reliability (internal consistency) of the scales was importance of life domains according to their values and assessed by evaluating internal consistency using provides an overall judgement of life satisfaction. Each Cronbach’s alpha test as well as item-test correlations. of the 5 items is rated on a 7-point Likert scale (1 - Scales show good internal consistency when Cronbach’s strongly disagree; 7 - strongly agree). Higher scores alpha is greater than 0.7. In addition, Pearson indicate greater life satisfaction. correlations were performed between all the items in the The SWLS scores showed good internal consistency. scales (inter-item). A value greater than 0.4 indicated The Cronbach’s alphas were 0.961 and 0.879 for Group that the item was homogeneous in measuring the scale. 1 students (who had not left their usual place of Divergent validity was evaluated by correlating total residence) and Group 2 students (who had been scores on the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) with temporarily displaced), respectively. total scores on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ- Symptoms of depression were assessed using the Patient 9) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7). Health Questionnaire, a 9-item depression scale, PHQ-9 Convergent validity was assessed by correlating the (Kroenke et al., 2001). PHQ-9 total score with the GAD-7 total score. Pearson In the present study, the Ukrainian adaptation of this correlation coefficients were used for both convergent questionnaire by Stadnik and Melnyk was used and divergent validity. (https://forms.gle/74BKVXRWHgtL9D75A). Correlation coefficient value between -1 and 1, where a The PHQ-9 is the depression module. It is widely used value of -1 indicates an overall negative linear in clinical and research settings. It contains 9 questions correlation, 0 indicates no correlation, and +1 indicates that meet the criteria for diagnosing depression. an overall positive correlation. A strong correlation was Answers to each question are rated on a Likert scale (0 indicated by a correlation coefficient value of ≥0.5. – not at all; 1 – several days; 2 – more than half the days; 3 – nearly every day). The individual answers to the Results questions are added up to a score of 0 to 27. The severity Life satisfaction is a complex, multifactorial, and of depression is usually classified as follows: minimal structurally dynamic phenomenon that serves as a depression (0-4), mild depression (5-9), moderate generalised assessment of an individual’s quality of life. depression (10-14), moderately severe depression (15- The issue of life satisfaction is relevant for Ukraine in 19), and severe depression (20-27). today’s environment. The Cronbach’s alphas for the PHQ-9 scores in the War has a detrimental effect on people’s physical and present study were 0.827 and 0.843 for Group 1 students mental health. (who had not left their usual place of residence) and There are, therefore, many factors that determine life Group 2 students (who had been temporarily displaced) satisfaction (personal security, health, family, work, respectively. acceptance of circumstances, freedom of choice, etc.), The Generalised Anxiety Disorder, a 7-item anxiety but they all relate to the quality of one’s own life. scale, GAD-7 (Spitzer et al., 2006) was used to assess This is related to the affective aspects of subjective well- anxiety. being status, such as happiness, joy, depression, anxiety, As in the two previous diagnostics, we used the adapted and stress. Ukrainian version of this questionnaire by Stadnik and Life satisfaction is, therefore, an important indicator of Melnyk (https://forms.gle/5BLmcVxjs36fJ4tR6). an individual’s quality of life and psychological well- The GAD-7 is used to measure or assess the severity of being (Stadnik, 2023). generalised anxiety disorder. Each item on the GAD-7 Table 1 shows the descriptive statistics for each item is rated on a Likert scale (0 – not at all; 1 – several days; (life satisfaction criteria): the mean, the standard 2 – more than half the days; 3 – nearly every day). deviation, and the 95% confidence intervals for Group 1 The individual answers to the questions are combined and Group 2. into a score from 0 to 21, where (0-4) is minimal anxiety, The average score of satisfaction with life was 17.26 (5-9) is mild anxiety, (10-14) is moderate anxiety, and points (SD 6.64) for Group 1 and 18.66 points (SD 5.93) (15-21) is severe anxiety. for Group 2. In the present study, we obtained Cronbach’s alphas of The analysis of the reliability of the SWLS showed an 0.877 for the GAD-7 scores of Group 1 students (who internal consistency of 0.961 and 0.879 (Cronbach’s had not left their usual place of residence) and 0.879 for alpha) for students who had not left their usual place of the GAD-7 scores of Group 2 students (who had been residence (Group 1) and students who had been temporarily displaced). temporarily displaced (Group 2). 37 International Journal of Science Annals, Vol. 7, No. 2, 2024 рrint ISSN: 2617-2682; online ISSN: 2707-3637; DOI:10.26697/ijsa Similarly, we confirmed that the inter-item correlation Table 3 shows the life satisfaction among university was significant. All items were moderately and highly students during the war. correlated, with values ranging from 0.563 to 0.896 in both groups (Table 2). Table 1 Descriptive Statistics for the Satisfaction with Life Scale Items Table 2 Inter-Item Correlation Matrix for the Satisfaction with Life Scale Items Notes. *Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level. Correlations for Group 1 are shown above the diagonal and those for Group 2 are below the diagonal. Table 3 The Assessment of Life Satisfaction Levels among University Students during the War When analysing the level of life satisfaction, it can be deterioration of their financial situation. The seen that the indicators of extremely dissatisfied percentages of students who are extremely satisfied (13.1%) and dissatisfied (23.4%) with their lives are (0.0%) and satisfied (13.1%) with their lives are about almost one-third higher among the students of Group 1 the same for Group 1 (0.0% and 13.1%) and Group 2 who were forced to change their place of residence (0.0% and 14.3%), with no statistically significant during the war (living in Ukraine and the EU) than differences. among the students of Group 2 who did not leave their The gender peculiarities were that the proportion of men usual place of residence (8.9% and 17.9%, respectively). in Group 1 who were extremely satisfied with their lives This was manifested in concerns about their health and reached 27.3%, which was the highest of all the gender the lives of their loved ones, worries about their future groups and almost three times higher than the proportion in the context of war, socio-economic insecurity, and of women in Group 1 (9.4%). This indicates their low 38 International Journal of Science Annals, Vol. 7, No. 2, 2024 рrint ISSN: 2617-2682; online ISSN: 2707-3637; DOI:10.26697/ijsa psychological well-being and quality of life. It should be which indicates their low psychological well-being and noted that the absolute dissatisfaction and dissatisfaction quality of life. All of this requires psychological help to with their lives of men and women in Group 2 are almost acquire positive thinking skills, to communicate with identical and have no statistically significant positive people and to solve their deep personal differences. problems. Thus, the study showed that even living in Life satisfaction is thus a complex, structurally dynamic safe conditions (in Ukraine and in the EU) does not phenomenon that assesses an individual's quality of life improve the psychological well-being and quality of life and psychological well-being and depends on many of internally displaced persons but causes a significant factors. War is a powerful factor that negatively affects emotional distress and the need for psychological help life satisfaction. Our research has shown that internally and support. displaced students living in Ukraine and the European Further details of psychopathological symptoms were Union have indicators of being extremely dissatisfied measured using the PHQ-9, and GAD-7 questionnaires. (13.1%) and dissatisfied (23.4%) with their lives, which Table 4 shows the manifestations of depression among are almost a third higher than students who have not left university students during the war, using the PHQ-9 their usual place of residence. At the same time, this scores. indicator is significantly higher for men than for women, Table 4 Levels of Depression Severity among University Students during the War Depression is a state of decreased mood, activity, and abuse, somatic disorders, and behavioural problems. In willpower. Depression is a risk factor for suicide. In addition, we found a significantly higher prevalence of Group 1 students, severe depression (8.4%) and severe depression among men in Groups 1 and 2 (13.6% moderately severe depression (29.0%) are almost twice and 8.3%, respectively) than among women (7.1% and as common as in Group 2 (4.5% and 14.3% 3.4%, respectively). This probably indicates the respectively). At the same time, minimal depression presence of significant maladjustment in this group of (19.6%) and mild depression (34.8%) are much more students. common among students in Group 2. The gender The descriptive statistics for each item (patient health differences in depression were as follows. Men in criteria): the mean, the standard deviation, and the 95% Groups 1 and 2 had a higher proportion of minimal confidence intervals for Group 1 and Group 2 are shown symptoms of depression (36.4% and 45.8%, in Table 5. respectively), than women (2.4% and 12.5%, The average score of depression severity was 11.45 respectively). This indicates that they probably have points (SD 5.44) for Group 1 and 10.58 points (SD 5.47) latent depression, which manifests itself in substance for Group 2. Table 5 Descriptive Statistics for the Depression Scale (Patient Health Questionnaire) Items 39 International Journal of Science Annals, Vol. 7, No. 2, 2024 рrint ISSN: 2617-2682; online ISSN: 2707-3637; DOI:10.26697/ijsa The analysis of the reliability of the PHQ-9 showed an All items had moderate to high correlations with the internal consistency of 0.827 and 0.843 (Cronbach’s scale (item test), with values, ranging from 0.401 to alpha) for students who had not left their usual place of 0.597 in both groups (Table 6). residence (Group 1) and students who had been Table 7 shows the manifestations of anxiety among temporarily displaced (Group 2). Similarly, we university students during the war. confirmed that the inter-item correlation was significant. Table 6 Inter-Item Correlation Matrix the Depression Scale (Patient Health Questionnaire) Items Notes. *Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level. Correlations for Group 1 are shown above the diagonal and those for Group 2 are below the diagonal. Table 7 Levels of Anxiety among University Students during the War Anxiety is characterised by the expectation of adverse 14.3%, and 10.7%, respectively). This manifested itself developments, bad premonitions, fear, tension and in feelings of tension, anxiety, emptiness, loss of interest excitement, leading to chronic fatigue and a in learning, low self-esteem, occasional agitation, or deterioration in the quality of life. The feeling of severe general apathy. Even staying in safe conditions is and moderate anxiety was more pronounced among stressful for internally displaced students. Lack of students in Group 1 (20.6% and 38.3%, respectively) permanent housing, financial difficulties and than in Group 2 (10.7% and 26.8%, respectively), which uncertainty about the future lead to increased manifested itself in an inability to concentrate, dissatisfaction with their lives and increased helplessness, confusion, extreme anxiety and negatively manifestations of depression and anxiety. This requires affected the activity and quality of the students’ developing and implementing appropriate social and learning. Minimal anxiety (28.6%) and mild anxiety psychological support methods for students affected by (33.9%) prevailed among students in Group 2. Gender the war. differences between the study groups included a The descriptive statistics for each item (anxiety disorder significant prevalence of severe anxiety among males in criteria): the mean, the standard deviation, and the 95% Groups 1 and 2 (31.8% and 25.0%, respectively) confidence intervals for Group 1 and Group 2 are shown compared to females (17.7% and 6.8%, respectively), in Table 8. The average score of anxiety disorder was indicating their significant maladjustment. Indicators of 9.80 points (SD 4.82) for Group 1 and 9.81 points (SD mild anxiety were most pronounced in women in Group 4.82) for Group 2. 2 (40.9%) and minimal anxiety in men in Group 2 The analysis of the reliability of the GAD-7 showed a (54.2%), indicating a better state of mental health. high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) for Thus, the study of students’ mental health showed the students who had not left their usual place of residence, presence of depression and anxiety in all the groups of Group 1, and students who had been temporarily students studied, which definitely affected their life displaced, Group 2. Similarly, we confirmed that the satisfaction. At the same time, the rates of severe inter-item correlation was significant. depression (8.4%), moderate depression (29.0%) and All items had high correlations with the scale (item test), severe anxiety (20.6%) among students in Group 1 were with values ranging from 0.402 to 0.689 in both groups almost double those of students in Group 2 (4.5%, (Table 9). 40 International Journal of Science Annals, Vol. 7, No. 2, 2024 рrint ISSN: 2617-2682; online ISSN: 2707-3637; DOI:10.26697/ijsa Table 8 Descriptive Statistics for the Anxiety Scale (Generalised Anxiety Disorder) Items Table 9 Inter-Item Correlation Matrix the Anxiety Scale (Generalised Anxiety Disorder) Items Notes. *Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level. Correlations for Group 1 are shown above the diagonal and those for Group 2 are below the diagonal. The internal consistency results for the scales (the Questionnaire, PHQ-9, and the Generalised Anxiety Satisfaction with Life Scale, SWLS, the Patient Health Disorder, GAD-7) are presented in Table 10. Table 10 Internal Consistency for the SWLS, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 The internal consistency results showed that the scales and GAD-7 scales, as all item correlations were above of the SWLS, the PHQ-9 and the GAD-7 had a high 0.4. degree of internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha Table 11 shows the correlations between the SWLS and values above 0.8. The results indicate that all items the corresponding validation measures of contributed well to measuring the SWLS, the PHQ-9, psychopathological symptoms. Table 11 Correlations between the SWLS, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 Scores Notes. *Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level. Correlations for Group 1 are shown above the diagonal and those for Group 2 are below the diagonal. 41 International Journal of Science Annals, Vol. 7, No. 2, 2024 рrint ISSN: 2617-2682; online ISSN: 2707-3637; DOI:10.26697/ijsa The significant positive strong correlation (r ≥ 0.50) The General Health Questionnaire, to assess between the PHQ-9 (depression symptoms) and the psychological well-being and emotional stability, and the GAD-7 (anxiety disorder) scores provided evidence of Social Support Questionnaire, to determine the specifics convergent validity (r= 0.797, p<0.001 and r= 0.762, of emotional support, practical support, and social p<0.001 for Group 1and Group 2, respectively). integration, have been used in psychological studies of These results are consistent with the findings of other student youth. These studies have found a correlation studies on anxiety and depression (Almadani et al., 2024; between general health measures and psychological well- Blenkiron and Goldsmith, 2019; Casares et al., 2024; being and permanent residence in or near a combat zone Fortini et al., 2024; Mukuria et al., 2024; Sikström et al., (Stadnik et al., 2023). The authors suggest that the closer 2023; Titov et al., 2022; Xiao et al., 2022). the students are to the combat zone, the greater the As expected, depression symptoms (PHQ-9) and anxiety negative impact on their mental health. disorder (GAD-7) were negatively correlated with the Experiences of insecurity, instability, violence and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). The correlations prolonged stress caused by war can have long-term obtained had moderate (r ≥ 0.30) and high (r ≥ 0.50) negative effects on students' mental health, which effect sizes. become apparent after several years (Yousef et al., 2021; The significant negative correlations of moderate Kassa et al., 2024). One of the main threats is the strength were found between the SWLS and the PHQ-9 development of post-traumatic stress disorder, which can depression symptoms (r= -0.448, p<0.001), and high be manifested by persistent memories of war strength between the SWLS and the GAD-7 anxiety experiences, anxiety attacks, emotional detachment and disorder (r= -0.614, p<0.001) for Group 1 students (who difficulties in maintaining social relationships (Yousef et had been temporarily displaced). For students in Group 2 al., 2021; Kassa et al., 2024; Kassaye et al., 2023). (who had not left their usual place of residence), The effects of chronic stress can also manifest themselves significant negative correlations of moderate and high in a variety of psychosomatic disorders, such as sleep strength were found (r= -0.414, p<0.001; r= -0.586, disturbances, chronic fatigue, cardiovascular and p<0.001 respectively). This significant negative digestive disorders, neurodegenerative disorders or correlation supported the evidence for a divergent autoimmune diseases (Oroian et al., 2021). These validity. processes can be further complicated by prolonged The results are consistent with the findings of other uncertainty, feelings of insecurity, lack of support and studies (Neto et al., 2024; Sikström et al., 2023; Titov et financial hardship, which raises the need for long-term al., 2022; Valenti & Faraci, 2024; Xiao et al., 2022). programmes that promote a systemic approach to Therefore, we observed a significant increase in individuals' adaptation, psychological and physical depression and anxiety among students who were forced recovery (Yousef et al., 2021; Oroian et al., 2021). to change their place of residence during the war, Spiritual support can meaningfully complement probably related to being in a place far from home, an psychological and social support measures for students unfamiliar place. who have been through various traumatic experiences They cannot adequately assess the threat to their homes (Hogue, 2024). Research shows that various religious because they only know about it from the media and their practices, such as meditation, prayer, participation in relatives back home. These factors increase uncertainty, religious ceremonies, and spiritual counselling, help to depression, and anxiety, deepening the chronic stress cope with the negative consequences of violent phase. experiences, reduce anxiety and build emotional The loss of control over one’s situation and one’s life, the resilience (Hogue, 2024; Deikus & Vveinhardt, 2024; difficulty of adapting to new living conditions, Vveinhardt & Deikus, 2021). aggravated by the blurring of one’s personal identity and Universities could, therefore, offer intervention the longing for one’s place of residence, are also reasons programmes, meditation groups, spiritual counselling for the destructive effects. services, or reflective spaces to help build an inclusive and supportive community and forge meaningful Discussion interpersonal relationships (Idoate et al., 2019; Scalora et Psychological research (“Mississippi Scale for Combat- al., 2020; Scalora et al., 2022). Related Post-traumatic Stress Disorder”; “Depression Anxiety Stress Scales”; “Insomnia Severity Index” Conclusions techniques were used), conducted in Ukraine among Every Ukrainian felt the effects of the war. Millions of military men aged 18 to 40 during low-intensity warfare Ukrainian citizens have been forced to flee their homes and the coronavirus pandemic confirms that military and/or adapt to new living conditions in order to save personnel with combat experience are significantly less their lives. likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, stress, and sleep Students, as one of the most vulnerable sectors of the disorders than military personnel without such population, are affected by social changes (social crisis, experience (Melnyk et al., 2020). forced displacement, destruction of social ties), changes These points to the possibility of triggering the adaptation in education (introduction of new technologies and processes of the individual in extreme conditions, distance learning), and psychological stress due to burdened by the simultaneous conditions of warfare and constant stress (death of relatives and friends, loss of pandemic. housing and property, financial problems, etc.). 42 International Journal of Science Annals, Vol. 7, No. 2, 2024 рrint ISSN: 2617-2682; online ISSN: 2707-3637; DOI:10.26697/ijsa The disruption of social networks, including family and Research permission was granted by the Committee on community ties, adds to the emotional distress, Ethics and Research Integrity of the Scientific Research increasing depression and anxiety and affecting students’ Institute KRPOCH (protocol no. 024-1/SRIKRPOCH mental health and life satisfaction. dated 10.08.2023). Informed consent was obtained from A study we conducted in November 2024 showed that all the participants. Group 1 students who are internally displaced and living in Ukraine and the European Union have indicators of Funding Source absolute dissatisfaction (13.1%) and dissatisfaction This research did not receive any outside funding or (23.4%) with their lives. This is almost a third higher than support. for Group 2 students who did not leave their usual place of residence (8.9% and 17.9%, respectively). This was References manifested in concern for their health and the lives of Almadani, A. H., Alsubaihi, A. A., Alsqabi, H. A., their relatives, worries about their future in the context of Alkathiri, M. A., Alassaf, M. I., Alagel, O. A., war, socio-economic insecurity and deterioration of their Alshowihi, S. S., & Alolayan, M. A. (2024). financial situation. 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Mental health and life satisfaction of university students influenced by war. International Journal of Science Annals, 7(2), 35–45. https://doi.org/10.26697/ijsa.2024.2.6 The electronic version of this article is complete. It can be found online in the IJSA Archive https://ijsa.culturehealth.org/en/arhiv This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en). 45