Association of resilience and coping strategies with mental health: a survey of Polish residents during the war in Ukraine

Introduction:The aim of this study was to assess the role of psychological resilience and different coping strategies of Polish residents in the context of anxiety and depression triggered by the crisis situation of war in a neighboring country. Material and methods:The study was conducted in a group of Polish adults at three time points: in the first month of the conflict, after one month, and after six months of the conflict.Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory, anxiety level by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7) and the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI X-1).An abbreviated version of the Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced questionnaire (Mini-COPE) was used to identify coping strategies and the Resilience Measure Questionnaire (KOP-26) to assess personal, family, and social competencies and overall resilience.Results: Our results point to the relevance of resilience and coping strategies to the mental health of people indirectly affected by war in Ukraine.The use of active coping strategies, such as active coping and positive reframing, was associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety symptoms.Coping strategies changed over time, suggesting that interventions should be adapted to different stages of the crisis. Conclusions:The results of our study can contribute to the development of intervention programs focused on strengthening resilience and promoting effective coping strategies during crises.