Abstract
Mental health of adolescent Ukrainian war refugees in Polish schools: a preliminary study of associations between psychological trauma and well-being
Department of Psychology, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, Poland
Institute of Psychology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Poland
J Health Inequal 2026; 12 (1): 58–66
Introduction
This study was designed to investigate some aspects of the mental health of Ukrainian adolescents who have enrolled in Polish schools since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. More specifically, it aimed to identify the mediating role of the Big Five personality traits in the relationship between trauma and well-being in Ukrainian war refugees.
Material and methods
Preliminary data were collected from 149 students attending secondary schools located in eastern and central Poland (M = 15.95; SD = 1.08), including 100 girls (67%), 39 boys (26%), and 10 identifying as other (7%). The participants completed questionnaires measuring psychological trauma (International Trauma Questionnaire – Child and Adolescent Version), personality traits (Ten Item Personality Inventory), and subjective well-being (WHO-5 Well-Being Index).
Results
The association between trauma and well-being was found to be mediated by openness to experience and emotional stability. It was stronger in students who were less open and less emotionally stable.
Conclusions
The present results can be used to equalize opportunities for the effective inclusion of Ukrainian refugee adolescents in the Polish education system.
Keywords
well-being, trauma, personality traits, adolescent Ukrainian refugees, Polish schools
Integrated with
