War impact on mental health and well-being among Ukrainian and Israeli women: A cross-national comparison

This study aims to discern similarities and differences associated with the impact of war on Ukrainian and Israeli women. We hypothesize that country affiliation significantly determines their mental health and psycho-emotional well-being. A total of 1,071 Ukrainian (N = 601) and Israeli (N = 470) w...

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Main Authors: Alexander Reznik, Valentyna Pavlenko, Anton Kurapov, Liudmyla Zavatska, Nataliia Korchakova, Iuliia Pavlova, Shai-li Romem-Porat, Richard Isralowitz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2025-01-01
Series:Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health
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Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2054425125000305/type/journal_article
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author Alexander Reznik
Valentyna Pavlenko
Anton Kurapov
Liudmyla Zavatska
Nataliia Korchakova
Iuliia Pavlova
Shai-li Romem-Porat
Richard Isralowitz
author_facet Alexander Reznik
Valentyna Pavlenko
Anton Kurapov
Liudmyla Zavatska
Nataliia Korchakova
Iuliia Pavlova
Shai-li Romem-Porat
Richard Isralowitz
author_sort Alexander Reznik
collection DOAJ
description This study aims to discern similarities and differences associated with the impact of war on Ukrainian and Israeli women. We hypothesize that country affiliation significantly determines their mental health and psycho-emotional well-being. A total of 1,071 Ukrainian (N = 601) and Israeli (N = 470) women were surveyed online from September to December 2022 in Ukraine and November 2023 to March 2024 in Israel. Valid and reliable survey instruments were used to gather data about the fear of war, depression, loneliness, suicidal ideation and substance misuse. Fear of war and depression were higher among Israeli respondents. However, Ukrainian women reported more loneliness, substance use and psycho-emotional deterioration. Respondents from both countries did not show a different level of suicidal ideation. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) results show fear of war associated with country and depression; and depression linked to country and increased alcohol use, especially among Ukrainian respondents. Comparative results partially confirm the study hypothesis. The impact of the war on Ukrainian and Israeli women has similar effects; however, differences exist that may be attributed to culture and adaptation to war length. Further research, including uniform data collection and analysis, is needed to determine the impact of war on women as well as their familial and work-related responsibilities that tend to increase during such conditions.
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spelling doaj-art-d972232f52af4f8882987b0fa45832ef2025-08-20T02:18:42ZengCambridge University PressCambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health2054-42512025-01-011210.1017/gmh.2025.30War impact on mental health and well-being among Ukrainian and Israeli women: A cross-national comparisonAlexander Reznik0Valentyna Pavlenko1Anton Kurapov2Liudmyla Zavatska3Nataliia Korchakova4Iuliia Pavlova5https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8111-4469Shai-li Romem-Porat6Richard Isralowitz7https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8413-1686Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research (RADAR) Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be’er Sheva, IsraelDepartment of Applied Psychology, V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv, UkraineDepartment of Experimental and Applied Psychology, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, UkraineDepartment of Social Work, Educational and Pedagogical Sciences, T.H. Shevchenko National University “Chernihiv Colehium”, Chernihiv, UkraineDepartment of Developmental & Pedagogical Psychology, Rivne State University of Humanities, Rivne, UkraineDepartment of Theory and Methods of Physical Culture, Lviv State University of Physical Culture, Lviv, UkraineRegional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research (RADAR) Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be’er Sheva, IsraelRegional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research (RADAR) Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be’er Sheva, IsraelThis study aims to discern similarities and differences associated with the impact of war on Ukrainian and Israeli women. We hypothesize that country affiliation significantly determines their mental health and psycho-emotional well-being. A total of 1,071 Ukrainian (N = 601) and Israeli (N = 470) women were surveyed online from September to December 2022 in Ukraine and November 2023 to March 2024 in Israel. Valid and reliable survey instruments were used to gather data about the fear of war, depression, loneliness, suicidal ideation and substance misuse. Fear of war and depression were higher among Israeli respondents. However, Ukrainian women reported more loneliness, substance use and psycho-emotional deterioration. Respondents from both countries did not show a different level of suicidal ideation. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) results show fear of war associated with country and depression; and depression linked to country and increased alcohol use, especially among Ukrainian respondents. Comparative results partially confirm the study hypothesis. The impact of the war on Ukrainian and Israeli women has similar effects; however, differences exist that may be attributed to culture and adaptation to war length. Further research, including uniform data collection and analysis, is needed to determine the impact of war on women as well as their familial and work-related responsibilities that tend to increase during such conditions.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2054425125000305/type/journal_articlewomenwarmental healthUkraineIsrael
spellingShingle Alexander Reznik
Valentyna Pavlenko
Anton Kurapov
Liudmyla Zavatska
Nataliia Korchakova
Iuliia Pavlova
Shai-li Romem-Porat
Richard Isralowitz
War impact on mental health and well-being among Ukrainian and Israeli women: A cross-national comparison
Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health
women
war
mental health
Ukraine
Israel
title War impact on mental health and well-being among Ukrainian and Israeli women: A cross-national comparison
title_full War impact on mental health and well-being among Ukrainian and Israeli women: A cross-national comparison
title_fullStr War impact on mental health and well-being among Ukrainian and Israeli women: A cross-national comparison
title_full_unstemmed War impact on mental health and well-being among Ukrainian and Israeli women: A cross-national comparison
title_short War impact on mental health and well-being among Ukrainian and Israeli women: A cross-national comparison
title_sort war impact on mental health and well being among ukrainian and israeli women a cross national comparison
topic women
war
mental health
Ukraine
Israel
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2054425125000305/type/journal_article
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AT nataliiakorchakova warimpactonmentalhealthandwellbeingamongukrainianandisraeliwomenacrossnationalcomparison
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