Page 22 - IJSA, Vol. 4, No 2, 2021

International Journal of Science Annals, Vol. 5, No. 1-2, 2022
рrint ISSN: 2617-2682; online ISSN: 2707-3637; DOI:10.26697/ijsa

SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. Psychology

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Psychological Distress among Students and
Cadets of Universities in the War Conditions

Authors’ Contribution: Stadnik A. V. 1,4 ABCDEG , Melnyk Yu. B. 2,3 ADEFG ,
A – Study design; Babak S. A. 1 B , Vashchenko I. V. 1 B , Krut P. P. 1 B
B – Data collection;
C – Statistical analysis; 1 Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs, Ukraine
D – Data interpretation; 2 Kharkiv Regional Public Organization “Culture of Health”, Ukraine
E – Manuscript preparation; 3 Scientific Research Institute KRPOCH, Ukraine
F – Literature search; 4 Social-Psychological Center KRPOCH, Ukraine
G – Funds collection Received: 22.11.2022; Accepted: 18.12.2022; Published: 25.12.2022

Abstract
Background and The full-scale military aggression against Ukraine in February 2022 had an
Aim of Study: extremely negative impact on the psyche of its residents. This is especially felt by
young people who should continue studying at universities in these difficult
conditions.
The aim of the study: to identify the specifics of psychotraumatic impact in the
conditions of war and martial law on university students and cadets, to detail their
level of stress, anxiety and depression.
Material and Methods: The study was conducted in November 2022 based on KNUIA, Ukraine.
Respondents aged 20-27 were divided into 3 groups: 1) 115 cadets: 85.22% men
and 14.78% women, who are outside of permanent deployment; 2) 107 students:
59.81% men and 40.19% women, who are forcibly displaced persons in Ukraine
and abroad; 3) 103 students: 50.49% men and 49.51% women, located in Kharkiv
and Kharkiv region. A Google-form questionnaire was used to study the level and
nature of psychotraumatization. Data collection on the level of stress and its
content was carried out using the DASS-21 tool.
Results: Among the group 3 respondents, the psychotraumatic impact is characterized by
high tension and the specific weight of vital psychogenia. Severe and extremely
severe manifestations of anxiety in group 3 students were 2-3 times higher than
the similar indicators of groups 1, 2 respondents. Manifestations of depression
among women are the highest in group 3 respondents. Stress was more expressed
among men in all groups. Group 3 respondents had the highest stress (distress)
indicators among men.
Conclusions: The negative impact of the war in Ukraine on the student youth’ mental health
requires the active implementation of psychological assistance and
psychoprophylaxis measures in accordance with the individual results of
psychodiagnostics.

Keywords: mental health, psychotraumatic impact, anxiety, depression, stress, students, war

Copyright: © 2022 Stadnik A. V., Melnyk Yu. B., Babak S. A., Vashchenko I. V., Krut P. P.
Published by Archives of International Journal of Science Annals

DOI and UDC DOI https://doi.org/10.26697/ijsa.2022.1-2.0 UDC 159.972

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 Stadnik Anatoliy Volodymyrovych (Corresponding Author) –
the authors: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1472-4224; [email protected]; Doctor of
Philosophy in Medicine, Associate Professor, MD, Kharkiv National University
of Internal Affairs; Director, Social-Psychological Center KRPOCH, Ukraine.
Melnyk Yuriy Borysovych – https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8527-4638; Doctor of
Philosophy in Pedagogy, Associate Professor; Chairman of Board, Kharkiv
Regional Public Organization “Culture of Health” (KRPOCH); Director,
Scientific Research Institute KRPOCH, Ukraine.

20