This study sought to discern the association of resilience, coping, and contextual factors on depression and anxiety among Ukrainian children displaced to Poland following the Russo-Ukrainian war. A cross-sectional analysis was undertaken with 284 Ukrainian children, aged 11-15 years, relocated to Poland in 2022 due to the ongoing conflict. Participants were assessed using validated tools for anxiety, depression, resilience, and coping, alongside a study-specific questionnaire. Notable associations emerged between depression and variables including age (Mage = 12.04, 49% females), emotional coping, relational resilience, and significant loss, accounting for 39% of the variance (p < .001). Anxiety was intricately linked with heightened emotional coping and diminished problem-solving capabilities, accounting for notable variances (state: 32%, trait: 45%, p < .001). Resilience, particularly in relational contexts, and the experience of bereavement stood out as paramount determinants of mental health outcomes. Children's mental health in conflict zones is shaped by a convoluted interplay of individual and environmental factors. This study accentuates the pivotal role of relational resilience, bereavement, and coping mechanisms in modulating depression and anxiety amidst war-related adversities. It underscores the imperative for targeted interventions, fostering positive relationship frameworks, and enhancing adaptive coping mechanisms.
Keywords: Russo‐Ukrainian war; children refugee; mental health; resilience.
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