Anticipatory grief and perseverative worry: Psychological impacts on Ukrainian migrants from the 2022 Russian invasion

Abstract

Objective: The present study was designed to examine the mental health challenges facing Ukrainian migrants exposed to the 2022 Russian invasion and who now reside in the United States, focusing on trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, and emotional distress. Our study explored how anticipatory grief and perseverative worry intersect and contributed to migrants' emotional distress, which is further compounded by their ongoing emotional connection to Ukraine, where many relatives remain in danger.

Method: Using a general inductive approach, we analyzed data from interviews with eight Ukrainian war migrants in the U.S. interviews were conducted in Ukrainian or Russian and analyzed using Dedoose Version 9.2.005.

Results: The majority (five of eight) of participants discussed posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and extreme emotional distress (six of eight) as a direct result of their exposure to war and violence, either firsthand or through loved ones. Participant statements suggested that emotional distress and strong emotional connection to Ukraine often co-occurred, with (a) 62.5% of individuals reporting both concerns for the safety of family members still in Ukraine, (b) material/emotional connections to Ukraine, and (c) 75% of participants indicating that their emotional distress was highly linked to trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Conclusion: Ukrainian migrants face a complex spectrum of trauma and emotional distress, influenced by their ongoing connection to a conflict zone and by constant worry for their families' safety. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).