Resilience of pregnant Polish women during the war between Ukraine and Russia

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has significantly impacted mental health across neighbouring regions, with pregnant women being particularly vulnerable. This group faces heightened risks of anxiety and depression due to the combined stresses of pregnancy and sociopolitical instability. Our study aimed to evaluate resilience as a protective factor against anxiety and depression in Polish pregnant women during this crisis. From June 2, 2022, to April 11, 2023, we recruited participants and assessed their mental health using validated tools: the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Labour Anxiety Questionnaire (LAQ), and self-developed War Anxiety and Global Situation Anxiety Questionnaires (WAQ; GSAQ). Resilience was measured using the Resilience Measure Questionnaire (KOP26). Statistical methods included Spearman's coefficient, Chi-Squared analysis, and the Kruskal-Wallis test. The findings revealed a statistically significant negative correlation between resilience levels and depression symptoms as well as global situation anxiety, underscoring resilience's protective role. This property has not been confirmed in the context of war and labour anxiety. Current models showed limitations in accurately predicting mental health outcomes, suggesting the need for more nuanced approaches. However, these results still emphasize resilience as crucial for perinatal psychological well-being, particularly during global crises.