ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION AMONG STUDENTS: CHALLENGES FOR THE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT IN WARTIME CONDITIONS

Abstract

The article investigates the psycho-emotional state of student youth in the context of the full-scale war in Ukraine, focusing on levels of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress. The relevance of the study is substantiated by the heightened risks of human capital loss, deterioration of mental health, and the disruption of stable educational processes. An empirical study was conducted among 144 students from two vocational colleges in Bila Tserkva, utilizing validated psychodiagnostic tools (Spielberger Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, HADS, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale). The findings revealed that 63% of students exhibit high levels of state anxiety, 60% – high trait anxiety, and 48% – moderate or severe depression. Additionally, 30% of respondents showed high levels of psychological distress. The dominant causes of negative emotional states included academic overload, the impact of war, loss of a sense of safety, social isolation, and the destruction of educational infrastructure. Correlational analysis demonstrated strong associations between stress, anxiety, and depression-particularly between trait anxiety and stress (r = 0.75514) – indicating a systemic nature of psycho-emotional disturbances. Based on the results, recommendations were developed for the educational environment: the need for continuous psychological support for students, emotional stability training, implementation of mental health monitoring systems, development of resilience, and stress-coping skills. The preservation of youth mental health is emphasized as a critical factor for ensuring the sustainable development of the education system under wartime instability and for national recovery in the post-war period. Future research should focus on designing psychological technologies to support mental well-being in crisis social conditions.