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

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.