Stress, resilience and sense of self-efficacy among Ukrainian, Polish, Romanian, and Slovak women during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the current study was to determine the levels of stress, resilience and the sense of self-efficacy, as well as the influence of resilience and the sense of self-efficacy in shaping stress levels, in a sample of women from various countries of origin.

Methods: The study was carried out on a sample of Ukrainian (N = 82), Polish (N = 102), Slovak (N = 79), and Romanian (N = 42) women using the Sense of Stress Questionnaire, the General Self-Efficacy Scale and the Brief Resilience Scale.

Results: Highest total stress levels were found among Ukrainian women, while the lowest were found among Polish women. Simultaneously, Ukrainian women reported the lowest resilience and sense of self-efficacy levels, while the highest levels of these variables were reported by Slovak and Polish women, respectively. There were also observable countrydependent differences in the moderating effect of the sense of self-efficacy on the relationship between resilience and stress.

Conclusions: The current study fills the gap on the topic of women's stress during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This conflict necessitates further studies on women from Ukraine and from neighbouring countries, together with providing evidence-based support to lower the consequences of experienced stress.