Mental Health of University Students During and After the War: Battle for Ukrainian Future

Abstract Objective The study aims to analyze the mental health conditions of Ukrainian university students during and after the war and to examine the impact of these conditions on their academic productivity. Methods The research combines methods of cross-sectional surveys and regression analysis. The survey includes a demographic section, a mental health screening, and the “ Work Productivity and Activity Impairment: Specific Health Problem ” (WPAI: SHP) section, adapted for the study’s purposes. The sample consists of 1,398 respondents. Results Among all respondents, 85.8% exhibited symptoms of depression, 66.1% of anxiety disorder, 56.9% of sleep disorders, and 48.1% of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Econometric modeling results confirm the devastating impact of mental health issues on students’ academic productivity during the war: moderate to severe symptoms of mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorder, and sleep disorders, are associated with a decline in students’ productivity by 17.4%, 12.2%, and 11.0%, respectively. Conclusion The prevalence of mental health issues among university students during and after the war highlights an urgent need for interventions to support their well-being and academic performance. These efforts are critical for fostering a resilient and capable generation essential for Ukraine’s postwar recovery and future development. Keywords Mental health, mental conditions, war, academic productivity, students. Disclosure of Interest None Declared