A study published in the European Journal of Psychotraumatology reveals that 31.2% of civilian adults living in government-controlled regions of Ukraine meet the clinical criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or complex PTSD (CPTSD). Led by an interdisciplinary team of researchers across international institutions, the nationally representative survey provides new estimates of the psychological toll inflicted by ongoing Russian aggression and the February 2022 full-scale invasion.
Ukraine PTSD Survey Overview:
- Total Survey Sample: 2,504 adult residents in government-controlled areas.
- Overall Prevalence: 31.2% met criteria for PTSD or CPTSD.
- PTSD Diagnosis Rate: 25.2% of respondents.
- CPTSD Diagnosis Rate: 6.0% of respondents.
- Key Risk Factors: Female gender, older age, lower educational attainment, past military service, displacement, and high cumulative trauma exposure.
Scale of Traumatic Exposure Across Ukraine
The research exposes a profound psychological burden driven by continuous shelling, displacement, bereavement, and community destruction. Researchers found that the vast majority of survey participants experienced multiple traumatic events across their lifetimes alongside direct war-related stressors such as explosions, property destruction, and the loss of family members.
Despite these extreme conditions, MacManus notes that many Ukrainians continue to function and adapt in extraordinary circumstances.
Distribution Between PTSD and Complex PTSD
The telephone-based survey of 2,504 adults uncovered distinct patterns in how trauma manifests across the population. Among those meeting diagnostic thresholds, 25.2% screened positive for standard PTSD, while 6% met the criteria for CPTSD—a more severe condition typically resulting from prolonged or repeated trauma such as chronic captivity or sustained abuse.
Statistical analysis identified several demographic and situational factors associated with a heightened risk for these conditions. Being female, older, single, having lower educational attainment, previous military service, and experiencing internal displacement all correlated with elevated trauma symptoms. Being single stood out as the sole factor specifically associated with CPTSD rather than PTSD.
Psychological Impact Beyond the Frontlines
Mental health impacts are not confined to active combat zones or military veterans. The data shows widespread psychological distress among internally displaced persons, civilian populations subjected to long-range missile and drone strikes far from the frontline, and individuals caring for wounded or traumatized citizens.
Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration
The study stemmed from an unusual collaboration between mental health researchers and social scientists examining the intersection of psychological trauma and sociopolitical outcomes in Eastern Europe. The project was initiated by the "Conflict and Cooperation in Eastern Europe" (KonKoop) research network, led by Professor Gwendolyn Sasse at the Centre for East European and International Studies (ZOiS), and funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space.
In addition to KCL and the Kyiv School of Economics, the research team included academics from The George Washington University, The University of Manchester, ZOiS, and Combat Stress, a leading UK mental health charity for veterans. This interdisciplinary approach secured rare access to a comprehensive national sample during an active conflict, offering critical data to guide sustained mental health support for affected populations.