Forced to flee out and down: Depression following the Russian invasion and displacement of the Ukrainian people.

Abstract

During wartime, individuals suffer from high levels of mental health disorders, with depression being one of the most common mental health issues. Even as peace returns, the loss of personal, social, and emotional resources can make widespread depression difficult to overcome. Internally displaced people (IDPs) are a particularly vulnerable group, which has received relatively little attention in the peace and conflict literature. Thus, there is an urgent need to better understand and address mental health issues of IDPs. Focusing on Ukraine, we use survey data collected from 300 IDPs in two major urban areas who were forced to flee their homes due to the Russian invasion that started in 2014. Specifically, we examine the influences of war trauma, daily stressors, and social support on depression. We find that having been exposed to war, both directly and indirectly, is not significantly associated with depression among IDPs in Ukraine, suggesting that war exposure may have reached a ceiling effect. On the other hand, experiencing daily stressors (e.g., prejudice, financial problems etc.) significantly increases depressive symptoms. Finally, social support, including emotional, task, and financial support from family (but not from other sources), reduces depression among IDPs. This study lays the foundation for the development of policies aimed at reducing daily stress among Ukrainian IDPs and reuniting them with their family members. Public Significance StatementOur research findings demonstrate that various daily hassles (e.g., financial problems, discrimination and prejudice, issues at work/study) increase depressive symptoms among IDPs in Ukraine, whereas different forms of social support from family serve as protective factors against depression. This suggests the need for the development of new initiatives that focus on stress management and family reunification among IDPs in war-torn societies.