Page 29 - IJSA, Vol. 7, No 1, 2024

International Journal of Science Annals, Vol. 7, No. 1, 2024
рrint ISSN: 2617-2682; online ISSN: 2707-3637; DOI:10.26697/ijsa

SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. Psychology

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Psychological Stress among University
Students in Wartime: A Longitudinal Study

Authors’ Contribution: 1,2 AB 1,3 ABDE
A – Study design; Mykhaylyshyn U. B. , Stadnik A. V. ,
B – Data collection; Melnyk Yu. B. 4,5 ADEF , Vveinhardt J. 6,7 EF ,
C – Statistical analysis; Oliveira M. S. 8,9 EF , Pypenko I. S. 4,5 ACDEF
D – Data interpretation;
E – Manuscript preparation; 1 Uzhhorod National University, Ukraine
F – Literature search; 2 Transcarpathian Research Expert Forensic Center of the MIAU, Ukraine
G – Funds collection 3 Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs, Ukraine
4 Kharkiv Regional Public Organization “Culture of Health”, Ukraine
5 Scientific Research Institute KRPOCH, Ukraine
6 Institute of Sport Science and Innovations, Lithuania
7 Lithuanian Sports University, Lithuania
8 Higher Institute of Social Work of Porto, Portugal
9 University Institute of Health Sciences-CESPU, Portugal
Received: 05.04.2024; Accepted: 28.06.2024; Published: 30.06.2024
Abstract
Background and War has an extremely negative effect on people’s psyches. This is especially true
Aim of Study: for student youth. They have to build personal lives and continue their studies in
these difficult and traumatic conditions. The aim of the study: to identify the
peculiarities of the dynamics of psychological trauma, and the manifestations of
depression, anxiety and stress among students in wartime.
Material and Methods: The study involved university students from Ukraine and European Union
countries in 2022-2024. Respondents aged 20-50 years were divided into 4
groups. Group 1 consisted of 107 students, including 64 (59.8%) males and 43
(40.2%) females, living in areas where there was no hostilities or shelling
(November 2022). Group 2 consisted of 103 students, including 52 (50.5%) males
and 51 (49.5%) females, living in the area of active hostilities (November 2022).
Group 3 consisted of 112 students, including 41 (36.6%) males and 71 (63.4%)
females, living in areas where there was no hostilities or shelling (March 2024).
Group 4 consisted of 115 students, including 30 (26.1%) males and 85 (73.9%)
females, living in the area of active hostilities (March 2024). The study involved
the development of the author’s questionnaire and the adapted psychological test
on the DASS-21, which is available on the Google Forms platform. The technique
was found to have adequate internal consistency. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.807.
Results: Longitudinal studies have shown that university students in wartime are
characterised by a tendency to increase psychogenics related to martial law,
communication and safety. A closer look at the dynamics of psychopathological
symptoms revealed a trend towards increased depression and anxiety, as well as
a stabilisation of acute stress indicators in all groups. This indicates a serious
deterioration in the mental health of the students and a further chronicisation of
their neurotic disorders.
Conclusions: The negative impact of the war in Ukraine on the mental health of student youth
requires the active implementation of psychological support measures and
psychoprophylaxis in accordance with individual psychodiagnostic findings.
Keywords: mental health, psychotraumatic impact, anxiety, depression, stress, students, war
Copyright: © 2024 Mykhaylyshyn U. B., Stadnik A. V., Melnyk Yu. B., Vveinhardt J.,
Oliveira M. S., Pypenko I. S. Published by Archives of International Journal of
Science Annals
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26697/ijsa.2024.1.6
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

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