Social Capital and Psychological Well-Being of Ukrainian Female Refugees in Ireland: An Online Survey

This study investigates the relationship between social capital and mental health outcomes, including psychological well-being, perceived stress, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, among Ukrainian female refugees settled in Ireland. Given the forced displacement triggered by the 2022 Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, refugee populations are at heightened risk for mental health issues.

This online cross-sectional survey explored various dimensions of social capital—such as relationships with family members, relatives, friends, colleagues, neighbours and locals, participation in Ukrainian community meetings, participation in the Ukrainian religious community, communication with people living in Ukraine, having close one to share their issues with —and their associations with mental health indicators.

A sample of 656 Ukrainian female refugees (2023) aged over 18 years old was recruited through online platforms. Key social capital factors were measured alongside standardized psychological assessments, including perceived stress (The Perceived Stress Scale), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), anxiety (The Beck Anxiety Inventory), PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder DSM-5), and self-reported mental health of Ukrainian female refugees in Ireland.

The study underscores the critical role of social capital in shaping mental health outcomes among female refugee populations. These findings have implications for policy and practice, highlighting the need for initiatives that strengthen social networks and foster community integration to enhance the psychological resilience of refugees.