Loneliness in women’s experiences in a wartime context

In the context of a full-scale war, the relevance of research into women’s loneliness takes on a new significance, shaped by profound personal and psychological changes within society, the consequences of which have implications for both the resilience of the social environment and Ukraine’s overall safety. The aim of the study was to identify the levels, forms, types and nature of women’s experiences of loneliness across different age groups during wartime, and to establish whether this state represents a need, an involuntary consequence or an adaptive necessity. The methods employed included theoretical approaches – analysis, synthesis, generalisation and systematisation of scientific and psychological literature – as well as empirical methods – psychodiagnostics, observation and correlation analysis. A significant influence of a number of external circumstances and, to a lesser extent, the influence of personality characteristics (introversion, a tendency towards a familiar way of life, resistance to change, and heightened reactive anxiety) on the emergence of loneliness during wartime was established. Vulnerability, introversion and low self-esteem were identified as the key markers of loneliness in wartime conditions. The overwhelming majority (a total of 89 %) of respondents exhibited high or moderate levels of loneliness. Differences in the experience of loneliness were found depending on age: a diffuse form of loneliness was predominantly characteristic of young people (aged 17-18), whilst alienated loneliness, with manifestations of emotional detachment and alexithymia, was characteristic of adults (aged 28-32). Most respondents felt the need for a loved one to be by their side and for understanding from the local population, holidaymakers and the wider community (“so that they would at least try to understand what it is like to lose everything they have built up over the years”). Furthermore, the majority of internally displaced women (young women and some older women) retained a high level of conscientiousness, a capacity for learning and openness to new experiences, but this was combined with internal tension that led to reserve, partial (self-)isolation and intensified feelings of loneliness. A third of the female respondents are more likely to submit to circumstances, as they doubt their own capabilities and will therefore not always be able to withstand future challenges. High levels of trait anxiety may further contribute to declining self-esteem and increased disorganisation, which, in turn, may hinder future efforts to improve their quality of life. The findings obtained may be taken into account when developing effective psychological support programmes and improving the quality of life of internally displaced women