A large study in the Journal of Mental Health compared the mental state of Ukrainians who stayed at home with those living abroad. The results break the popular illusion that crossing the border automatically means peace. The sample included 7,065 people, of whom almost 300 were outside Ukraine. After statistical matching by gender, age, and level of war experience, 235 pairs were formed for a clean comparison.
The researchers measured symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), moral injury (violation of trust and conscience), destruction of basic beliefs about the world's justice, as well as post-traumatic growth and depreciation. If you recognize yourself or your loved ones in these descriptions, you can find a specialist for psychological support at the link.
What the comparison showed
Ukrainians living abroad showed consistently worse scores on almost all scales. According to the study review, the “abroad” group recorded:
Higher all clusters of PTSD symptoms and greater overall severity, with noticeably more cases of “probable PTSD.”
Stronger destruction of basic beliefs about the world as a safe and predictable place.
More moral injury: shame and broken trust in people.
Higher depreciation (depreciation), meaning a feeling that life has lost its meaning.
The main conclusion of the authors is straightforward: physical distance from the front does not stop the psychological impact of war.
The only bright point: the “new opportunities” scale in post-traumatic growth is slightly higher abroad. Openness to new things remains, even when it is hard inside.
Other studies say the same
The conclusions of the new work fit well with what is already known from other countries. A survey of Ukrainian refugees in Poland showed that 47.5% have symptoms indicating probable PTSD. Moreover, the cause is not only war experience but also post-migration stressors: discrimination and loss of control over one’s own life.
Comparison of Ukrainians in Switzerland with those in Ukraine gave an even more telling picture: the mental state of refugees in Zurich was very similar to that of residents of southeastern and central regions of Ukraine, i.e., those most affected by combat actions.
And the International Organization for Migration report shows that displacement itself is linked to the worst indicators: symptoms of depression were found in 50% of internally displaced persons versus 35% of those who did not leave their home. Among the unemployed, the risk of depression reached 54%.
Why it can be harder abroad
Researchers highlight several factors that add to war trauma:
Constant worry about relatives. A study of Ukrainians in Norway found that those without close relatives in Ukraine feel better. Worrying about those left in danger is a powerful daily stressor.
Economic instability. Unemployment and financial uncertainty consistently correlate with worsening mental health; people with stable jobs report fewer problems.
Adaptation itself. Language and cultural barriers, uncertain status, the need to build life from scratch — these are additional burdens, even if a person is stress-resistant.
Risk groups. Several studies consistently show that women and young people roughly up to 30-40 years old more often complain of anxiety and depression.
What to do about it
The most worrying figure concerns help: according to WHO, up to 70% of Ukrainians had symptoms of anxiety or depression, but only about 20% sought professional support. At the same time, a third of people at high risk of depression said psychological help was needed but simply did not reach it.
It is worth reminding: this is a study review, not clinical advice. But if you recognize yourself in the described symptoms — loss of meaning, broken trust, constant anxiety — it is a reason not to wait for it to “just pass.” Psychological support for people with dočasné útočisko (temporary asylum) status in Slovakia is available, including in Ukrainian through humanitarian organizations.
