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Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Polish Population in the Context of the War in Ukraine: Analysis of Risk Factors and Practical Implications

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Kasierska

    (Department of Mental Health, Chair of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-572 Poznan, Poland)

  • Julia Suwalska

    (Department of Treatment of Obesity, Metabolic Disorders and Clinical Dietetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-569 Poznan, Poland)

  • Dorota Łojko

    (Department of Mental Health, Chair of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-572 Poznan, Poland)

  • Marta Jakubiak-Głowacka

    (Department of Mental Health, Chair of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-572 Poznan, Poland)

  • Sławomir Tobis

    (Department of Occupational Therapy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland)

  • Aleksandra Suwalska

    (Department of Mental Health, Chair of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-572 Poznan, Poland)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the intensity of depressive and anxiety symptoms in those indirectly affected by war in Ukraine and to identify a group of people at particular risk of developing these symptoms. The study encompassed 72 Poles (60 women and 12 men). The measurements were carried out at three time points: (1) in the first month after the outbreak of Russia’s war against Ukraine, (2) in the second month and (3) after six months of the conflict. During the first and second month, the symptom severity of generalized anxiety (GAD-7) was 9.8 ± 5.2 and 7.0 ± 5.6, state anxiety (STAI-X1) was 48.2 ± 10.4 and 45.2 ± 13.9 and depression (BDI) was 10.4 ± 7.5 and 15.4 ± 12.7. After six months, the symptom severity was statistically significantly lower. Greater symptom severity was observed in women, people with low income, those without a job, those who did not have good relationships with people they were close to, those with sleep problems and those who frequently followed the news and talked about the war. This study indicates that in a crisis situation, mental health screening and the identification of people whose condition requires specialized interventions are necessary.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Kasierska & Julia Suwalska & Dorota Łojko & Marta Jakubiak-Głowacka & Sławomir Tobis & Aleksandra Suwalska, 2023. "Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Polish Population in the Context of the War in Ukraine: Analysis of Risk Factors and Practical Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-13, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:19:p:14230-:d:1248096
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Abigail Abrash Walton & Janine Marr & Matthew J. Cahillane & Kathleen Bush, 2021. "Building Community Resilience to Disasters: A Review of Interventions to Improve and Measure Public Health Outcomes in the Northeastern United States," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-31, October.
    2. Edyta Skwirczyńska & Mateusz Kozłowski & Katarzyna Nowak & Oskar Wróblewski & Agnieszka Sompolska-Rzechuła & Sebastian Kwiatkowski & Aneta Cymbaluk-Płoska, 2022. "Anxiety Assessment in Polish Students during the Russian–Ukrainian War," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-13, October.
    3. Magdalena Nowicka & Ewa Jarczewska-Gerc & Magdalena Marszal-Wisniewska, 2022. "Response of Polish Psychiatric Patients to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine in February 2022―Predictive Role of Risk Perception and Temperamental Traits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Abanoub Riad & Anton Drobov & Martin Krobot & Natália Antalová & Muhammad Abdullatif Alkasaby & Aleš Peřina & Michal Koščík, 2022. "Mental Health Burden of the Russian–Ukrainian War 2022 (RUW-22): Anxiety and Depression Levels among Young Adults in Central Europe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-14, July.
    5. Damiano Rizzi & Giulia Ciuffo & Giulia Sandoli & Matteo Mangiagalli & Pietro de Angelis & Gioele Scavuzzo & Mariana Nych & Marta Landoni & Chiara Ionio, 2022. "Running Away from the War in Ukraine: The Impact on Mental Health of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Refugees in Transit in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-12, December.
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