REGIONAL CONVERGENCE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG UKRAINIAN YOUTH: AN ANALYSIS OF 2023–2024 SURVEY DATA

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this study is to analyze the changes in the mental health of young people living in the Lviv region during the war in Ukraine, compared to other regions of the country, and to propose hypotheses regarding the cause-and-effect relationships of the deterioration of mental health problems among Ukrainian youth. Methods. This quantitative ecological study analyzed publicly available U-Report youth survey data from 2023–2024. To assess population-level psychological distress, custom indices were methodologically developed to quantify and compare the prevalence and intensity of self-reported anxiety and depression symptoms across Ukraine's regions. The participants were predominantly young people aged 15–34. Results. The findings contradict the hypotheses of psychological adaptation or geographical protection. Instead, the results indicate a universal deterioration of mental health. In the relatively safe Lviv region, for instance, the cumulative share of youth reporting symptoms of anxiety rose from 53% in September 2023 to 58% by October 2024, with those experiencing constant anxiety increasing from 9% to 15%. This trend led to a significant convergence of psychological distress levels, narrowing the gap between western and front-line regions. Conclusions. The study concludes that war-related stress is a pervasive, nationwide phenomenon. This escalating mental health crisis is inextricably linked to educational disruptions and signals a future public health burden from stress-related non- communicable diseases. There is an urgent need for integrated, nationwide support systems.