Abstract
BACKGROUND: The ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict has led to the large-scale displacement of over one million Ukrainian citizens, predominantly women and children, seeking protection in Poland. This necessitates a rigorous investigation into the factors associated with psychological conditions and adaptive coping mechanisms employed by this vulnerable population. METHODS: This quantitative, online survey study comprised a sample of N = 290 adult participants (91.7% female, mean age 43.6 years). Due to the small number of male participants (n = 24, 8.3%), gender was not included as a variable in the analyses. Participants were recruited through social workers and psychologists working in Collective Accommodation Centers, and Integration Centers in Poland for Ukrainian refugees. Depression, Anxiety, and Stress symptoms were assessed using the DASS-21, psychological wellbeing with the PERMA-Profiler, and coping with stress strategies using the Brief-COPE. RESULTS: Analysis revealed significantly elevated psychological distress among Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Multivariate regression models identified independent predictors of mental health, wellbeing and coping with stress. Older age, partnered status, and skills-matched employment are key predictors of depression. Higher education and partnered status are negative predictors of anxiety, and older age is a negative predictor of stress. Skills-matched employment emerged as a predictor of wellbeing, though only 23.5% of this highly educated sample held such positions. Access to information, receipt of psychological assistance, and current employment are predictors of problem-focused coping, while psychological assistance is a predictor of emotion-focused coping. Avoidant coping showed no significant model fit. CONCLUSION: The findings underscore the critical need for comprehensive, evidence-based mental health interventions and accessible psychosocial support for Ukrainian refugees. The results indicate the modifiable post-migration factors important for refugee adaptation. Policy priorities should include early mental health screening targeting younger adults and unpartnered individuals, facilitation of skills-matched employment, provision of clear information about legal rights and available services, and culturally sensitive interventions that promote adaptive coping mechanisms.