Nearly one in three civilian Ukrainians has PTSD or complex PTSD – T&F

A recent study published in the European Journal of Psychotraumatology has found that nearly one-third of Ukrainian civilians suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or complex PTSD (CPTSD). Conducted by a team of researchers from King's College London, George Washington University, the University of Manchester, and Combat Stress, the survey of 2,504 randomly selected Ukrainian residents revealed that 31.2% of respondents met the criteria for PTSD or CPTSD.

High rates of lifetime and war-related trauma were documented, with factors such as female sex, older age, lower education level, prior military service, forced displacement, and a higher number of lifetime traumatic events increasing the likelihood of developing PTSD or CPTSD. Loneliness was the only factor specifically associated with CPTSD.

Study co-author Emma Facer-Irwin noted that the frequency of PTSD compared to CPTSD may indicate that psychological responses to an ongoing war differ from those in post-conflict settings, suggesting an important area for future research. Lead author Deirdre MacManus emphasized that the majority of those surveyed experienced multiple traumatic events, including forced displacement, loss of loved ones, and anxiety for family members.

Despite these challenges, many Ukrainians continue to live and adapt under difficult circumstances. Study co-author Volodymyr Kulyk highlighted that PTSD and CPTSD affect not only veterans or those near active combat zones, but also other population categories severely impacted by the war, such as internally displaced persons and those caring for injured individuals.

The research team, which included experts from various institutions, conducted the study via telephone interviews based on a random sample of Ukrainian residents in government-controlled areas.