Page 25 - IJSA, Vol. 6, No 1, 2023

International Journal of Science Annals, Vol. 6, No. 1, 2023
рrint ISSN: 2617-2682; online ISSN: 2707-3637; DOI:10.26697/ijsa

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, Uzhhorod, Ukraine.
De Matos Margarida Gaspar – https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2114-2350; Doctor of
Philosophy in Special Education and Rehabilitation, Clinical and Health Psychologist,
Full Professor, Aventura Social / ISAMB, Medical School; University of Lisbon, and
FCH/ UCP, Lisbon, Portugal.

Introduction
The current war on the territory of Ukraine, caused by old. The participants were divided into the following
Russian aggression, has become a test for all Ukrainian three groups:
citizens. It particularly affects the less protected sections Group 1 included cadets of the KNUIA, whose
of the population, including student youth. The regular permanent disposition was changed in Ukraine, in the
massive bombardment of civilian homes and public amount of 112 people, including 95 (84.8%) males and
places with missiles and drones, airstrikes on 17 (15.2%) females.
infrastructure, as well as the lack of communication, Group 2 included students of the KNUIA and the
water, heat, and light are significant stressors on the UzhNU, who were displaced and who are in Ukraine and
individual psyche and significantly complicate the EU countries, in the amount of 108 people, including 64
learning environment. This has changed the daily life of (59.3%) males and 44 (40.7%) females.
the students, and they are being forced to adapt to the Group 3 included students of the KNUIA, who did not
new conditions. As a result of the massive destruction, change their place of permanent residence and who are
several million of people have been forced to leave their in Ukraine in the combat zone or near it, in the amount
homes (Leon et al., 2022; McKee & Murphy, 2022). of 107 people, including 59 (55.1%) males and 48
According to a study by the International Organization (44.9%) females.
for Migration, more than 15 million Ukrainians have The assessment was conducted online by posting
reported a deterioration in their mental health since the psychological tests using Google forms or messengers
war began, and nearly one in four Ukrainians (23%) are (Telegram, Facebook, WhatsApp) for potential
in need of mental and psychosocial support (Nguyen, participants. This was due to martial law in Ukraine and
2022). the limited capabilities of the respondents. In addition,
According to the World Health Organization, all groups were observed during remote and face-to-face
approximately 22% of people living in a conflict- classes. An individual interview was used when it was
affected region will experience some form of mental necessary.
disorder over a 10-year period, ranging from mild Participation in this study was voluntary. Informed
depression and anxiety to other more severe mental consent was obtained from all participants before the
illnesses (Collins, 2023). study was conducted.
One of the most vulnerable categories is student youth, The following techniques were used in the current study:
who are forced to hide in bomb shelters or leave areas of 1. The 28-item General Health Questionnaire, GHQ-28
active hostilities. The process of adapting to new (Goldberg & Hillier, 1979).
conditions is sometimes quite difficult, which The questionnaire is designed to assess psychological
significantly worsens learning outcomes. During war, well-being and emotional stability. It considers the
young people are affected by the following psychogenic psychological state as an element of a more general
factors: physical, mental and information-psychological concept – “quality of life”. The GHQ-28 consists of 4
overload, personal and family danger, loss of income or subscales: somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia,
job, loss of home and property, risk of death, etc. social dysfunction, severe depression. It allows to assess
(Stadnik et al., 2022). the level of general health as well as the level of somatic
All this leads to a deterioration of psychological well- symptoms, anxiety, social dysfunction and depression.
being, emotional instability and social dysfunction, and Responses were scored on a 4-point Likert scale (from 0
requires further research in this area. to 3): 0 – Not at all, 1 – No more than usual, 2 – Rather
It is impossible to develop adequate practical measures more than usual, 3 – Much more than usual. High scores,
of psychological support and psychoprophylaxis which characterize the pole of psychological discomfort,
without researching these particularities. correspond to positive responses to those questions that
The aim of the study. To identify the particularities of reveal manifestations of psychological distress and
psychological well-being and social adaptation of emotional instability. Responses to the questions
students and cadets in wartime conditions. regarding the expression of positive emotions and
psychological stability are scored in reverse order. The
Materials and Methods higher the average score on a particular scale, the greater
In February 2023 we included in the study 327 students the psychological distress.
and cadets of the Military Department of the Kharkiv 2. The Social Support Questionnaire, F-SozU K-22
National University of Internal Affairs (KNUIA) and (Fydrich et al., 1999).
students of the Uzhhorod National University (UzhNU). The questionnaire is designed to determine the
The age of the participants ranged from 20 to 27 years characteristics of emotional and practical support, social

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