Author(s) / Editor(s):

 Burova Olga Igorivna, Candidate of Sociological Sciences, Senior Research Fellow, Head of the Sector of Sociological Monitoring, Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

 email: burova_olga@yahoo.com

 ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4149-8859

Year: 2025

Pages: 128-148

Publication language: Ukrainian

Publisher: Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

Type of Publication: chapter in edited volume

Publication Place: Kyiv

DOI: TBD

This article explores the well-being of Ukrainians during the full-scale war, focusing on the interrelation between material conditions, psychological resources, and social adaptation. Against the backdrop of massive displacement, income losses, housing destruction, and growing insecurity, the study analyzes how objective deterioration in living standards coexists with relatively stable levels of subjective well-being for part of the population. Particular attention is paid to the role of hope, optimism, perceived social cohesion, and civic identity as compensatory resources that help individuals cope with prolonged crisis.

The findings demonstrate that material deprivation and war-related losses significantly undermine life satisfaction and feelings of security, especially among socially vulnerable groups. Economic shocks—such as loss of employment, business, or property—emerge as the strongest negative factors affecting well-being. At the same time, the article identifies a notable “reserve of resilience”: despite adverse circumstances, many Ukrainians maintain hope for the future and a sense of collective solidarity, which partially buffers the psychological impact of hardship.

The analysis also highlights important social differentiations in well-being outcomes. Internally displaced persons and households experiencing severe material losses report lower levels of subjective well-being and higher migration intentions, while stronger community ties and civic engagement are associated with greater life satisfaction and emotional stability. Fear and anxiety are linked to increased readiness to relocate, whereas perceived support and national unity contribute to psychological adaptation.

Overall, the article argues for an integrated understanding of well-being under conditions of war, emphasizing that material resources remain crucial, but psychological resilience and social cohesion play a pivotal role in sustaining individual well-being and broader societal stability. The Ukrainian case illustrates how subjective dimensions of well-being become especially salient in extreme contexts, offering insights into the mechanisms of social resilience during prolonged crises.

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