Cited by 22Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchMigration, Health and TraumaCOVID-19 and Mental Health

The mental health toll of the Russian-Ukraine war across 11 countries: Cross-sectional data on war-related stressors, PTSD and CPTSD symptoms

Kalaitzaki, Argyroula, Goodwin, Robin, Kurapov, Anton, Vintila, Mona, Lazarescu, Gianina, Lytvyn, Serhii, Tsouvelas, George, Tamiolaki, Alexandra +15 more·2024·Psychiatry Research

Abstract

Exposure to war is a severe traumatic experience with disastrous mental health effects. This study examined the mental health among 5,560 residents in 11 countries worldwide at different geographic distances from the epicenter of the Russian-Ukrainian War (RUW). An online questionnaire assessed war-related variables (e.g., personal experiences with RUW, perceived concern and threat), previous life stress experiences, and mental health (i.e., resilience, anxiety, depression, perceived stress, ICD-11 PTSD, and CPTSD). Results showed regional differences. Ukrainians had the worst mental health indices, followed by participants in the bordering countries, and then by those in the distal ones. War-related variables were associated with worse mental health. The common predictors for PTSD and CPTSD were previous mental disorder, anxiety, and perceived stress, whereas unique predictors were also found (PTSD: female gender and impact of news on mental health; CPTSD: being single, overall impact of war on mental health, sum of lifetime traumatic experiences, resilience (inversely), and depression). Given the continuing uncertainty about the threat of war for many of the nations in this study, findings suggest the need for practitioners to support concerned populations.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.116248

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  • Constant media bombardment, especially when coupled with prolonged uncertainty about the war's resolution, contributes significantly to the mental health burden experienced by affected populations.

    “Constant media bombardment, especially when coupled with the prolonged uncertainty about the war’s resolution, contributes significantly to the mental health burden experienced by affected populations.”
  • Individuals exposed to war-related stressors, including displacement, violence, and loss, are at a heightened risk for developing PTSD.

    “Individuals exposed to war-related stressors, including displacement, violence, and loss, are at a heightened risk for developing PTSD.”
  • Continuous media coverage, especially news reports focusing on graphic images or uncertain political developments, heightens feelings of anxiety and helplessness among those already traumatized by the war.

    “Continuous media coverage, especially news reports focusing on graphic images or uncertain political developments, was found to heighten feelings of anxiety and helplessness among those already traumatized by the war.”

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Authors
Kalaitzaki, A., Goodwin, R., Kurapov, A., Vintila, M., Lazarescu, G., Lytvyn, S., Tsouvelas, G., Tamiolaki, A., Danyliuk, I., Ramos-Diaz, J., Gnisci, A., Sergi, I., Mottola, F., Stulnikova, L., Lopez-Calle, C., Salas, G., Helmy, M., Chen, Y.-L., Yen, C.-F., Czepczor-Bernat, K., Samekin, A., Topanova, G., & Zhamuldinov, V. N.
Affiliations
  • Hellenic Mediterranean University (GR)
  • University of Warwick (GB)
  • University of Salzburg (AT)
  • Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (UA)
  • National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (GR)
  • University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (IT)
  • Catholic University of the Maule (CL)
  • Sultan Qaboos University (OM)
  • Asia University (TW)
  • Kaohsiung Medical University (TW)
  • Maqsut Narikbayev University (KZ)
  • Kazakh National Women's Teacher Training University (KZ)
Corresponding author
Kalaitzaki, Argyroula
Venue
Psychiatry Research
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2024-12
Volume
342
Pages
116248
ISSN
0165-1781 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4403777270
Cited by
22
References
70
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1
FWCI
10.88
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Psychiatry Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Migration, Health and Trauma
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
Keywords
Russian invasion of Ukraine, post-traumatic stress disorder, complex PTSD, mental health, anxiety, depression, perceived stress, resilience, news exposure, gender differences
MeSH terms
War Exposure, Armed Conflicts, Adult, Anxiety, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depression, Female, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Middle Aged, Surveys and Questionnaires, Russia, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Stress, Psychological, Ukraine, Resilience, Psychological, Young Adult

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