TY - JOUR
T1 - War impact on mental health and well-being among Ukrainian and Israeli women
T2 - A cross-national comparison
AU - Reznik, Alexander
AU - Pavlenko, Valentyna
AU - Kurapov, Anton
AU - Zavatska, Liudmyla
AU - Korchakova, Nataliia
AU - Pavlova, Iuliia
AU - Romem-Porat, Shai Li
AU - Isralowitz, Richard
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Author(s).
PY - 2025/4/3
Y1 - 2025/4/3
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Israel
KW - Ukraine
KW - mental health
KW - war
KW - women
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105003569322
U2 - 10.1017/gmh.2025.30
DO - 10.1017/gmh.2025.30
M3 - Article
C2 - 40303961
AN - SCOPUS:105003569322
SN - 2054-4251
VL - 12
JO - Global Mental Health
JF - Global Mental Health
M1 - e46
ER -