Well-being of Ukrainian and Polish college students during the Russo-Ukrainian war and coping strategies as predictors of mental health disorders

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare mental health outcomes, coping strategies, and well-being between Ukrainian and Polish college students during the Russo-Ukrainian War. The sample included a total of 1,286 Ukrainian and Polish college students. An online survey was conducted using the DASS-21, PERMA-Profiler, and Brief-COPE questionnaires were collected. Pearson correlation and SEM analyses were performed to assess the relationships between the variables. Polish college students reported significantly higher levels of depression (p < 0.001) and stress (p < 0.001) compared to Ukrainian college students. Avoidant coping was positively linked to psychological distress in both groups (p < 0.001). Problem-focused coping was a protective factor for depression (p < 0.05), anxiety (p < 0.05), and stress (p < 0.005). Socio-demographic factors, such as female gender (Polish: p < 0.05 for depression, p < 0.001 for anxiety and stress; Ukrainian: p < 0.001 for anxiety and stress), poor financial status (Polish: p < 0.001 for depression, anxiety, and stress; Ukrainian: p < 0.05 for depression), and young age (Polish: p < 0.05 for anxiety; Ukrainian: p < 0.001 for anxiety, p < 0.005 for stress) were associated with poor mental health among Polish and Ukrainian college students. The study underscores the need for targeted, gender-sensitive, and financially supportive interventions to improve the mental health and well-being of college students affected by the Russo-Ukrainian War. © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group