Envisioning the future for families running away from war: Challenges and resources of Ukrainian parents in Italy

Abstract

Since February 2022, 7.8 million people have left Ukraine. In total, 80% are women and children. The present quali-quantitative study is the first in Italy to (i) describe the adaptation challenges and the resources of refugee parents and, indirectly, of their children and (ii) investigate the impact of neuropsychopedagogical training on their wellbeing. The sample includes N = 15 Ukrainian parents (80% mothers, mean age = 34 years) who arrived in Italy in March and April 2022. The parents participated in neuropsychopedagogical training within the program Envisioning the Future (EF): the 10 Keys to Resilience. Before the training, participants completed an ad hoc checklist to detect adjustment difficulties. After the training, they responded to a three-item post-training questionnaire on the course and to a semi-structured interview deepening adaptation problems, personal resources, and the neuropsychopedagogical training effects. Participants report that since they departed from Ukraine, they have experienced sleep, mood, and concentration problems, and specific fears, which they also observed in their children. They report self-efficacy, self-esteem, social support, spirituality, and common humanity as their principal resources. As effects of the training, they report an increased sense of security, quality of sleep, and more frequent positive thoughts. The interviews also reveal a 3-fold positive effect of the training (e.g., behavioral, emotional-relational, and cognitive-narrative).

Psychological and Pedagogical Aspects of Adaptation of Displaced Ukrainian Children to the Educational Environment of Another Country

“…Berezka (2022) adds a psychological aspect to this, as the psychology of communication is the key to successful adaptation to the educational space. At the same time, the study revealed a significant number of children with adaptation disorders, in particular, the emotional spectrum disorder in displaced children, which contradicts the obtained data (Paoletti et al, 2023;Rousseau & Guzder, 2008). It can be the result of directly experienced traumatic events related to war or the loss of loved ones.…”

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“…Resilience: relevance to refugees. Resilience is a crucial element of mental and emotional well-being for refugees affected by the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as they face various stressors and adversities (Vus & Esterlis, 2022;Paoletti et al, 2023). Social support, coping mechanisms, and positive emotions are key to fostering resilience (Walsh, 2016).…”

Relationship between sleep, stress and psychological distress in internally displaced persons – does the length of displacement matter?

“…The prevalence rates, as well as risk factors associated with mental health in those populations, vary widely among studies 3,6,[34][35][36] . Most recent evidence shows that sleep disturbances, mental health problems, and speci c fears are frequently reported in Ukrainian refugees and IDPs 36, 37 .…”