Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 10, 2025

Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat
Published on: September 12, 2014
Anticipatory grief and perseverative worry: Psychological impacts on Ukrainian migrants from the 2022 Russian
Aigerim Alpysbekova1, Carolina Scaramutti-Gladfelter2, Mia M Cisco1
1Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin.
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) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Bonanno's Theory of Grieving
Resilience
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Psychological Responses to Stress
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
Frustration and Conflict: Avoidance-Avoidance, Double-Approach Avoidance
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia

