A Mixed-Method Investigation of Resilience Among Ukrainian Refugees
In the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, millions of people have endured the trauma of forced migration. Dr. Yaryna Andrushko, a researcher at Pennsylvania State University’s Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, set out to explore how Ukrainian refugees rebuild their lives and sustain hope in a new sociocultural environment.
Her project takes an innovative systemic approach to understanding human adaptation, examining not only psychological well-being but also the social, spiritual, and cultural systems that support it.
Dr. Andrushko’s study combined quantitative and qualitative research methods to capture a full picture of resilience among Ukrainian refugees.
Quantitative Survey (N = 502): Participants completed measures of psychological distress, social support, and acculturation experience.
Qualitative Interviews: A smaller group shared personal stories of coping, belonging, and identity through in-depth interviews.
DBT-Based Intervention: Based on identified needs, the team designed and implemented a pilot psychosocial support program integrating Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) principles.
This integration of statistical insight and lived experience highlights the value of viewing resilience not as a fixed trait, but as a process that unfolds in relationship to others.
The study revealed that resilience among displaced Ukrainians is dynamic and multidimensional, encompassing:
Functional resilience — daily coping, flexibility, and problem-solving.Mental health resilience — emotional regulation and self-compassion.
Spiritual resilience — meaning-making, faith, and cultural connection.
More than half of the participants initially showed moderate to high distress. After the DBT-based program, data showed a statistically significant reduction in psychological distress (p < 0.01), alongside enhanced emotional balance and self-efficacy.
By weaving together evidence-based psychological tools and cultural sensitivity, the intervention created a safe, supportive space where participants could process trauma, develop coping strategies, and strengthen community ties.
As Dr. Andrushko notes, “Resilience is not an individual achievement—it’s a collective process shaped by shared meaning and human connection.”
Her approach underscores the importance of relationships and belonging in recovery—reminding us that healing often begins in connection, not isolation.
The project offers several implications for clinical practice and policy:
For Practitioners: Integrating DBT-informed methods can enhance trauma recovery and emotional regulation for refugee populations.
For Policymakers: Findings emphasize the importance of accessible, culturally responsive mental health services.
For Researchers: Future work will evaluate long-term outcomes and explore how the model can be adapted for other displaced groups.
Dr. Andrushko continues to bridge research and practice, modeling how scientific insight can lead to compassionate, culturally attuned care.
Ultimately, A Mixed-Method Investigation of Resilience Among Ukrainian Refugees affirms that resilience is not the absence of suffering—it is the human capacity to find meaning, strength, and connection amid adversity.
Through her work, Dr. Yaryna Andrushko reminds us that even in the aftermath of displacement, the threads of relationship and purpose can be rewoven into a new pattern of hope.