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Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing
Mar 20, 2025;

Exploration of Perceptions of Mental Health and Self-Stigma Related to Psychological Care Seeking Among Female Refugees From War-Torn Ukraine.

Rada Artzi-Medvedik, Yuliya Lozynska, Daria Kuperberg, Lyudmyla Tsikholska, Ilana Azulay Chertok
Author Information
  1. Rada Artzi-Medvedik: School of Nursing, College of Health Sciences and Professions, Ohio University, Ohio, USA. ORCID
  2. Yuliya Lozynska: Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Ohio, USA.
  3. Daria Kuperberg: Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Ohio, USA. ORCID
  4. Lyudmyla Tsikholska: School of Nursing, College of Health Sciences and Professions, Ohio University, Ohio, USA.
  5. Ilana Azulay Chertok: School of Nursing, College of Health Sciences and Professions, Ohio University, Ohio, USA.
PMID: 40109037 DOI: 10.1111/jpm.13163

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: War, displacement, and relocation are traumatic events affecting mental health and require professional attention. As the war in Ukraine continues, the mental health needs of refugees persist.
AIM: To explore Ukrainian refugees' perceived mental health, self-stigma related to psychological care-seeking, and mental health services utilisation.
METHOD: A mixed-methods study was conducted using semi-structured interviews and self-stigma surveys of twenty-one Ukrainian refugee women who relocated to the United States and shared their experiences.
RESULTS: Five themes were identified: perception and knowledge of mental health and illness; impact of war on mental health; self-management; finding inner peace; and seeking mental health services. Additionally, participants demonstrated a high likelihood of self-stigma.
DISCUSSION: Understanding refugees' perceptions and reducing self-stigma related to mental health can be important for promoting psychological care seeking.
LIMITATIONS: Including only female refugees who were interested in participating increased the risk of self-selection bias.
IMPLICATIONS: These findings inform nurses and other healthcare professionals of the unique mental health needs of Ukrainian female refugees to support culturally sensitive and appropriate mental health care.
RECOMMENDATIONS: It is imperative to conduct similar research with male refugees, particularly with those who have been exposed to combat, to identify and mitigate mental health problems.

Keywords

Ukraine mental health self‐stigma perception of mental health refugee relocation

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Grants

  1. /Ohio University
Journal Article

Word Cloud

Created with Highcharts 10.0.0mentalhealthrefugeesself-stigmaUkraineUkrainianrelocationwarneedsrefugees'relatedpsychologicalservicesrefugeeperceptionseekingcarefemaleINTRODUCTION:WardisplacementtraumaticeventsaffectingrequireprofessionalattentioncontinuespersistAIM:exploreperceivedcare-seekingutilisationMETHOD:mixed-methodsstudyconductedusingsemi-structuredinterviewssurveystwenty-onewomenrelocatedUnitedStatessharedexperiencesRESULTS:Fivethemesidentified:knowledgeillnessimpactself-managementfindinginnerpeaceAdditionallyparticipantsdemonstratedhighlikelihoodDISCUSSION:UnderstandingperceptionsreducingcanimportantpromotingLIMITATIONS:Includinginterestedparticipatingincreasedriskself-selectionbiasIMPLICATIONS:findingsinformnurseshealthcareprofessionalsuniquesupportculturallysensitiveappropriateRECOMMENDATIONS:imperativeconductsimilarresearchmaleparticularlyexposedcombatidentifymitigateproblemsExplorationPerceptionsMentalHealthSelf-StigmaRelatedPsychologicalCareSeekingAmongFemaleRefugeesWar-Tornself‐stigma

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