Coping Mechanisms during the War in Ukraine: A Cross-Sectional Assessment among Romanian Population

Abstract

On 24 February 2022, the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine, starting a military conflict that soon turned into a full-scale war. The Romanians have been actively involved in helping their neighbors, causing the accumulation of emotional and mental pressure upon the Romanian population exposed to such a close military conflict. This cross-sectional study assessed, through an online survey (1586 adult Romanian residents), the primary coping mechanisms, quality of life and anxiety levels in response to the psychological trauma associated with the Russo—Ukrainian war. Based on the results, focusing on and venting emotions along with behavioral disengagement were the coping strategies that had the strongest negative impact on anxiety and well-being. On the other hand, positive reinterpretation and growth were associated with less anxiety, a higher degree of overall health and better quality of life. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first of its kind to be performed among the Romanian population so far. Thus, we equip mental health practitioners with the tools (real-life evidence data) that will allow them to establish a more meaningful doctor—patient relationship, maximizing therapy results.

Coping strategies, resilience and quality of life: reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic among Romanian physicians

“…Additionally, in our previous paper about coping mechanisms and resilience in psychiatric trainees during the pandemic, we also found that good psychological mechanisms and adaptiveness decrease vulnerability to impairment [ 52 ]. Crișan et al, found similar results regarding the negative relation between dysfunctional coping and physical health among Romanian citizens during the current war in Ukraine [ 53 ]. From our knowledge, there is no research data regarding the correlation between coping strategies evaluated using COPE inventory and quality of life evaluated using WHOQOL-BREF among Romanian HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Grief and its relationship with coping and resilience strategies in a group of women victims of the Colombian internal armed conflict

“…Both resources, both strategies and resilience, are effective in the face of the grief process at a general level (Rodríguez, 2018;Garfias-Royo et al, 2023;Mansoori et al, 2023), especially the type of grief exacerbated by violence, which is felt to be produced in the context of internal armed conflict (Acosta, 2018;Castillo & Palma, 2016;Crișan et al, 2023).…”