Peculiarities of Resilience and Coping Strategies of The Ukrainian Civilian Population During the Full-Scale War: The Role of Social Support

Abstract

This article presents the results of an empirical study dedicated to the investigation of resilience, coping strategies, and social support among the civilian population of Ukraine under conditions of full-scale war. Special attention is paid to the role of social support in the process of psychological adaptation, as well as to the impact  of residence region and the status of internally displaced persons (IDPs) on the specific features of stress coping. The theoretical framework of the study is based on the conceptualization of resilience as an individual's ability to maintain or restore psychological equilibrium under conditions of extreme stress, along with models of coping that view it as a process involving cognitive and behavioral efforts aimed at managing internal and external demands. The study involved civilians residing both in frontline areas and in relatively safe regions of Ukraine. Standardized psychodiagnostic instruments were used to measure levels of resilience, coping strategies, and perceived social support. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in preferred coping strategies depending on regional context and IDP status. It was found that higher levels of resilience are associated with a greater use of problem-focused coping strategies and less reliance on emotion-avoidant responses. The level of perceived social support proved to be a significant stress buffer, reducing the intensity of maladaptive reactions, especially among individuals who had experienced forced displacement. The results of the study underscore the importance of developing programs aimed at enhancing resilience and strengthening social connections in crisis conditions. They have practical significance for organizing psychological assistance to the population during wartime, particularly in work with internally displaced persons and residents of high-risk zones. The data obtained may be used to improve intervention strategies focused on fostering adaptive coping mechanisms within the civilian population. Furthermore, the findings open up possibilities for future research into the factors that strengthen or, conversely, diminish resilience under prolonged conditions of social instability. In particular, promising directions include the examination of interpersonal interaction effects, volunteer activity, and civic engagement as resources for the   mental health maintenance. Thus, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of psychological resilience machanisms in wartime and may serve as a foundation for the development of comprehensive, contextually sensitive models of psychosocial support that take into account not only individual characteristics but also the sociocultural conditions of human life in crisis situations.