Stress States of Ukrainians Living Alone During the War
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29038/2306-3971-2024-02-42-42Keywords:
solo-living, stressors, distress, warAbstract
This study explores the psychological impact of war on Ukrainians who live alone, a group whose numbers have significantly increased amidst recent crises. By focusing on the unique stressors that affect those who live solo during wartime, the research aims to uncover the specific challenges and psychological conditions that arise due to isolation, heightened responsibility, and the lack of immediate support networks. Data were gathered via a mixed-method survey (CATI and CAWI) with a representative sample of 2,767 adults across Ukraine, employing statistical methods such as the Student’s t-test and one-way ANOVA for analysis. Results indicate that solo-living individuals experience high levels of distress, manifesting as elevated anxiety, depression, and feelings of frustration. Additionally, while these individuals encounter fewer interpersonal conflicts and less influence from collective panic than those in multi-person households, they are more vulnerable to loneliness and isolation-induced stress. The findings suggest a critical need for targeted social and psychological interventions for individuals living alone, particularly during crises. This research underscores the importance of accessible mental health resources and social support systems to mitigate the unique challenges faced by those who live alone under wartime conditions.
References
Chae, M.-O. (2024). Factors Related to Health-Related Quality of Life across the Life Cycle in One-Person Households among Korean Adults. Research in Community and Public Health Nursing, 35, 125. https://doi.org/10.12799/rcphn.2023.00304
Chen, T.-Y., Geng, J.-H., Chen, S.-C., & Lee, J.-I. (2022). Living alone is associated with a higher prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in a population-based cross-sectional study. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 1054615. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1054615
Cohen, P. N. (2021). The rise of one-person households. Socius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World, 7, 1-3. https://doi.org/10.1177/23780231211062315
Institute of Demography and Problems of Quality of Life of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (2024). Socio-economic status of households in Ukraine. Retrieved November 15, 2024 from https://www.unicef.org/ukraine/documents/social-economical-state-2023-24
Kersten, P., Mund, M., & Neyer, F. J. (2023). Does living alone mean being alone? Personal networks of solo-living adults in midlife. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 48(1), 12-24. https://doi.org/10.1177/01650254231206329
Kleinberg, Е. (2002). Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago. University of Chicago Press, 320. DOI: 10.7208/chicago/9780226026718.001.0001
Kowal, M., CollMartín, T., Ikizer, G., Rasmussen, J., Eichel, K., Studzińska, A., Koszałkowska, K., Karwowski, M., Najmussaqib, A., Pankowski, D., Lieberoth, A., & Ahmed, O. (2020). Who is the Most Stressed During the COVID-19 Pandemic? Data From 26 Countries and Areas. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 12(4), 946–966. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12234
Lee, S. W., Han, B., Cho, S. J., Jung, S. J., Huh, Y., Kim, J., Eum, D. H., Kim, T., Min, S. H., Lee, W., Cho, J., Kwon, M. H., & Nam, G. E. (2020). Associations between Living Alone and Smoking and Alcohol Consumption in Korean Adults. Korean journal of family medicine, 41(5), 306–311. https://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.18.0148
Luscombe, B. (2021). Being Single Was Just a Part of Their Lives Before the Pandemic. Then It Became the Defining One. Retrieved November 15, 2024 from https://time.com/5955250/single-during-covid-19-pandemic/
McElroy, E. et al. (2023). Living alone and mental health: parallel analyses in UK longitudinal population surveys and electronic health records prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMJ Mental Health, 26(1), e300842. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjment-2023-300842
Moskotina, R., Sydorov, M., & Kovalska, Ye. (2023). Testing the Approach to Dividing Psychological Distress Index SCL-9-NR into Criterial Levels. Sociological Studios, 2(23), 73–83. https://doi.org/%2010.29038/2306-3971-2023-02-32-32
Mykyta, L. (2024). Living Alone and Feelings of Depression among Adults Ages 18 and older. National Health Statistics Reports, 199. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:136451
Park, S. M., Kim, D. B., Joo, M. J., & Park, E.-C. (2024). Association between living alone and generalized anxiety disorder in Korean adults. Journal of Affective Disorders, 362, 630–637. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.07.112
Pieh, C., O Rourke, T., Budimir, S., & Probst, T. (2020). Relationship quality and mental health during COVID-19 lockdown. PloS one, 15(9), e0238906. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0238906
Wu, D., Liu, F., & Huang, S. (2022). Assessment of the relationship between living alone and the risk of depression based on longitudinal studies: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in psychiatry, 13, 954857. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.954857
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
