Hopelessness and Suicidal Ideation Across Age in Individuals Residing in Ukraine During the Ongoing Russian...

Living in a war zone is a profoundly traumatic experience that can lead to mental health disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as hopelessness and suicidal ideation (SI). The ongoing Russian occupation in Ukraine has resulted in casualties, population displacement and ongoing political strain, making individuals particularly vulnerable. This study aims to examine the interconnections between feelings of hopelessness and SI across age in individuals residing in Ukraine during the occupation. Additionally, this research aims to revisit the psychometric properties of the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) for the Ukrainian population and explore the moderating role of SI in the relationship between age and hopelessness. Results suggest that the BHS has satisfactory psychometric properties and factor structure. Furthermore, the BHS displayed an inverse association with resilience. Age was found to be linked to specific subfactors associated with future but not with failure. Additionally, a moderation effect of SI was identified in the relationship between age and expectations of failure. The findings might contribute to understanding the mental health needs of the affected population and inform strategies to enhance overall well-being and reduce SI.