According to sociological research conducted in 2024, against the backdrop of a long-term war, almost half (47%) of Odessa residents feel anxious, while only 43% retain hope for the better. Such statistics reflect contradictory sentiments in society: uncertainty about the future is combined with hopes for an improvement in the situation.
In addition, 24% of the city's residents feel anger, 18% - hopelessness, another 18% - sadness, and 16% admitted to confusion. Such emotional instability indicates a high level of stress and social tension accumulated due to the long-term war.
Head of the Sociological Information and Research Center "Pulse" Olena Knyazeva, Candidate of Sociological Sciences, explains that stress is a natural adaptive reaction of the body to external challenges.
"The first is anxiety. At this point, the body is faced with stressors and goes through a phase of shock. Then comes the phase of resistance, when defense mechanisms are activated. The second stage is resistance, when adaptation to difficult conditions occurs. But if stress lasts too long, the third stage comes - exhaustion, or distress. In this state, the body's resources are depleted, and the ability to withstand difficulties is significantly reduced. This can cause serious disorders of physical and mental health.", – emphasizes Elena Knyazeva.
In times of war, Odessa residents are constantly under psychological pressure. Rocket attacks, economic instability, uncertainty about the future – all this destroys the sense of security and exacerbates existential fears. If such stress factors act continuously or are regularly repeated, they can lead to chronic stress, which is expressed in increased anxiety, depression and irritability.
"War provokes massive psychological pressure, as people lose a sense of control over their own lives. If stress factors are constant and have no logical conclusion - such as combat, economic instability or social conflicts - they can transform into chronic stress - distress. It manifests itself in the form of anxiety, depression, irritability," – emphasizes Knyazeva.
Statistics confirm the exacerbation of psychological stress not only in Odessa, but also throughout Ukraine. According to the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, in 2023, 31% of Ukrainians experienced a high or increased level of psychological distress. For comparison, in 2020 this figure was significantly lower - only 10%. In addition, 62,7% of Ukrainians admitted to severe anxiety related to the war, and 16% have a low level of psychological resilience, which makes them particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of stress.
Back in 2014, when Ukraine faced the first stage of the war, the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) recorded that 87% of Ukrainians had experienced at least one serious stressful situation. Women, young people under 30, and socially vulnerable segments of the population remain the most vulnerable to distress.
Many people try to find a way out of their stressful state through religion, support from social communities, or by turning to the state for help. However, as experts point out, such tendencies can not only help stabilize the emotional state, but also exacerbate social polarization.
Another consequence of high anxiety is the growth of belief in the supernatural. According to a KIIS survey conducted in April 2024, 35% of Ukrainians trust astrology, 25% believe in psychic abilities, and 15% are fond of tarology. Overall, 43% of respondents said they rely on at least one of these practices.
Despite the difficult psychological situation, Ukrainian society continues to look for ways to adapt. People use various psychological resistance mechanisms, but to effectively overcome the consequences of distress, systemic support is needed, including psychological assistance programs, social initiatives, and information campaigns.
"A prolonged negative emotional background undoubtedly affects the psychological state of society, reducing its level of resilience and depleting personal resources. At the same time, we see that Ukrainians continue to actively use mechanisms of psychological resistance. In order to minimize the consequences of distress and increase people's adaptability, systemic support is necessary, which includes the development of psychological assistance programs, social initiatives, and educational campaigns. Such a comprehensive approach will not only reduce the level of anxiety, but also increase society's resilience to difficult conditions." – concludes Knyazeva.
