The Impact of the Russo-Ukrainian War on Mental Health and Stress-Coping Strategies in Central and Eastern Europe

The outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian War has led to a deterioration in the psychological well-being of residents of Ukraine as well as populations in neighboring and more distant countries. The present study aimed to assess mental health and the effectiveness of stress-coping strategies during the 34th month of the ongoing conflict. The sample consisted of 2,962 residents from Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using an online panel survey. The findings indicate that the highest levels of stress-related disorders, anxiety, and depression were observed in Poland, whereas the lowest levels were found in the Czech Republic. Across all countries, respondents most frequently adopted problem-focused coping strategies, while emotion-focused strategies were used less often. Linear regression analyses showed that younger age, lower perceived quality of life, and emotion-focused coping strategies were the strongest predictors of mental health disorders. Among Polish respondents, problem-focused strategies were associated with reduced psychological distress. Overall, the results suggest that the Russo-Ukrainian War has had a negative impact on mental health in Central and Eastern Europe. These findings highlight the need for continued monitoring by health services and the development of effective interventions to support the psychological well-being of populations living near Ukraine.Keywords: mental health, distress, anxiety, depression, coping strategies, Central and Eastern Europe.