The Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders and Stress Coping Strategies Among Forced Migrants from Ukraine and Russia

Abstract In research on the mental health of migrants and refugees, the framework of pre-migration and post-migration stressors is frequently applied. The present study sought to determine which of these stressors contribute to mental health disorders among forced migrants from Ukraine and Russia. In addition, the analyses aimed to compare the prevalence of mental health disorders between these two groups and to evaluate the effectiveness of coping strategies employed. The study also aimed to broaden the understanding of the predictors of mental health outcomes among different groups of forced migrants. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the Computer-Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) technique. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling, with invitations disseminated via social media platforms (Telegram, Facebook) targeting Ukrainians residing in Russia. The sample comprised N = 200 Ukrainian and N = 164 Russian respondents. Data collection took place in the first quarter of 2025, which corresponds to the third year of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed using the PHQ-9, GAD-7, and PSS-10 scales, respectively. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of mental health outcomes. Ukrainian migrants exhibited significantly higher rates of anxiety, depression, and stress (45%, 56%, 20.76 ± 5.9) compared with Russian migrants (37%, 39%, 18.79 ± 2.92). Notable differences in coping strategies were also observed: Ukrainian female migrants more frequently employed emotion-focused and resignation strategies, whereas Russian migrants tended to use problem-focused strategies. Among Ukrainians, significant predictors of poorer mental health included negative attitudes from the host population, relocation during the stay, higher educational attainment, and the use of emotion-focused or avoidance coping strategies. For Russian migrants, poorer mental health was associated with lower self-rated quality of life, underemployment, negative attitudes from the host population, and emotion-focused or avoidance coping strategies. In the context of prolonged residence in a host country, post-migration stressors and dysfunctional coping strategies appear to be the primary risk factors for mental health disorders among forced migrants.