Post-Traumatic Growth among Ukrainian Women Refugees during the Ongoing Russian-Ukrainian War

Abstract

According to recent data, more than 8 million Ukrainians have been forcibly displaced due to the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war. Most of the research looks at the war aftermath through pathogenic lenses, which focus on the negative mental health consequences of the war on civilians, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, researchers have started shifting to the salutogenic approach to conflicts and have refocused on resilience and post-traumatic growth (PTG) which may be developed after traumatized events. PTG is defined as “the positive psychological changes experienced as a result of the struggle with traumatic or highly challenging life circumstances”. This study aims to understand potential factors contributing to the PTG development among Ukrainian refugees who have been forcibly displaced by the ongoing war of Russia in Ukraine.