The double-edged impact of war: PTSD and post-traumatic growth among Ukrainians

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to examine the correlations between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and post-traumatic growth (PTG), as well as their associated factors, among individuals in Ukraine, in order to identify high-risk or severely affected groups and inform the development of targeted psychological and social intervention programs. Methods A cross-sectional anonymous survey was conducted in Ukraine at the end of 2024. The questionnaire assessed post-traumatic stress (using the Impact of Event Scale - Revised, IES-R), post-traumatic growth (using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, PTGI), and demographic characteristics including age, sex, housing status and other. Data from 573 respondents were analyzed using Spearman's rank-order correlation, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results Female respondents reported significantly higher IES-R scores than males, indicating more severe trauma-related symptoms. Housing instability significantly impacted both IES-R and PTGI scores. Participants without stable housing exhibited greater post-traumatic growth (median PTGI = 70.5) compared to those who had not experienced housing loss (median = 63.0; p = 0.001). A weak positive correlation was observed between IES-R and PTGI total scores (r = 0.10, p = 0.014), suggesting that greater trauma symptoms are modestly associated with higher levels of post-traumatic growth. Age was significantly associated with IES-R intrusion subscale scores (p < 0.001), with participants over the age of 50 reporting higher symptom severity. Conclusions These findings underscore the nuanced relationship between trauma and resilience, particularly among women and individuals facing housing instability. The results highlight the need for targeted mental health interventions that not only address trauma symptoms but also promote post-traumatic growth in populations affected by war. Key messages • Higher trauma symptoms slightly correlate with increased growth, suggesting that trauma in some way might increase an individual's psychological growth. • Older age, female gender and housing instability are linked with greater trauma symptoms, with housing instability also positively correlating with post-traumatic growth.