Calm me down, or I’ll leave: anxiety and institutional support among Ukrainian academic staff during wartime

Abstract

Background Mental health conditions among academic staff are a growing global concern, driven by factors such as heavy workloads, job insecurity, and a lack of institutional support. Anxiety, one of the most common mental health problems, is particularly widespread in academia, affecting cognitive function and productivity. In Ukraine, the ongoing war has intensified these challenges, creating unprecedented working conditions for academic staff. This study investigates the prevalence of anxiety among Ukrainian academics during wartime. It explores the impact on their desire to change careers and the perceived effectiveness of institutional mental health support. Methods This cross-sectional study surveyed 429 academic staff from Ukrainian higher education institutions between December 2023 and February 2024. Anxiety levels were measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale, while additional questions assessed the desire to change professions and the perceived effectiveness of institutional mental health support. The data were analyzed using chi-squared tests, correlation analysis, and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression. Results The findings revealed that 44.3% of respondents experienced moderate (24%) or severe (20.3%) anxiety, reflecting the profound psychological toll of the war. There was a significant relationship between higher anxiety levels and an increased likelihood of considering a career change. While 90.2% of respondents viewed institutional mental health support as important, many felt that the existing programs were ineffective. Greater accessibility to psychological support services was associated with lower anxiety levels. Conclusions The high prevalence of anxiety among Ukrainian academic staff during the war highlights the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions. Institutional mental health support – such as accessible psychological services – is important in the ongoing war conditions. These findings underscore the broader implications of anxiety for the sustainability of Ukraine’s educational and scientific sector during wartime and emphasize the need for comprehensive mental health programs tailored to the unique challenges faced by academics in wartime. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-024-21040-4.