PSYCHOLOGICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF STRESS, DEPRESSION, AND ANXIETY IN INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS

Abstract

The article addresses the urgent issue of psychological consequences of forced internal displacement amid the ongoing Russian- Ukrainian war. A comprehensive theoretical analysis of contemporary scientific approaches to studying the psycho-emotional state of internally displaced persons (IDPs) is conducted, focusing on manifestations of stress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Key terms, socio-psychological trauma factors, adaptation mechanisms, and comorbidity of mental disorders are examined. The results of an original empirical study involving 61 respondents aged 18–60 years (34 IDPs and 27 in the control group without displacement experience; 90.2% women) are presented. Standardized psychometric tools were used: the Impact of Event Scale- Revised (IES-R) to assess post-traumatic symptoms, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression diagnosis, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) for measuring anxiety levels. The study was conducted online, adhering to principles of voluntariness, anonymity, confidentiality, and ethical standards, with informed consent obtained. Statistical analysis employed the Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson correlation analysis. Statistically significant differences between groups were found: IDPs showed higher levels of depression (U = 671.5; p = 0.002), anxiety (trend: U = 589.5; p = 0.059), and clinically significant PTSD symptoms (U = 784.0; p < 0.001), with 35.3% of IDPs versus 11.1% in the control group scoring IES-R ≥ 33. Strong positive correlations were identified: r(PHQ-9–BAI) = 0.72; r(PHQ-9–IES-R) = 0.47; r(BAI–IES-R) = 0.48 in the overall sample, indicating interdependence and comorbid nature of psycho-emotional disturbances. In the IDP group, correlations were slightly lower (r = 0.63; 0.43; 0.33), possibly due to heterogeneity of traumatic experiences. The findings align with prior Ukrainian and international studies, confirming the impact of war, loss of social capital, and chronic distress on mental health. The results highlight the need for developing and implementing targeted psychological support programs for IDPs aimed at reducing anxiety, depression, and PTSD, enhancing adaptive potential, and promoting social integration. Future research prospects include expanding the sample, considering gender, age, and regional differences, examining long-term dynamics of psycho-emotional states, and evaluating intervention efficacy.