A path model of associations between war-related exposure to trauma, nightmares, fear, insomnia, and posttraumatic stress among Ukrainian students during the Russian invasion.
Aleksandra M Rogowska, Iuliia Pavlova
Psychiatry Research October 2023 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115431 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,072 |
| Population | University students from Western Ukraine during the Russian invasion, 80% women |
| Measures | PTSD Checklist (PCL-6), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FoCV-19S) |
| Topics | Dreaming PTSD |
| Keywords | Exposure to war Fear of war Insomnia Mental health Nightmares of war University students War-Related PTSD |
| Key findings | War exposure was positively correlated with war-related PTSD symptoms, and a path model indicated that nightmares of war, fear of war, and insomnia partially mediate this relationship. Women scored higher than men on fear of war, insomnia, and PTSD symptoms, but the model was invariant across genders. |
Abstract
The present study examined the associations between war-related exposure, nightmares, fear, insomnia, and PTSD symptoms among university students from Western Ukraine. An online cross-sectional study was performed among 1,072 university students (80% of whom were women) during the war. Eight questions were developed to assess exposure to war, and seven items were designed regarding nightmares of war. War-related PTSD symptoms were assessed using an abbreviated six-item PTSD checklist (PCL-6), insomnia was measured using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and to examine fear of war, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FoCV-19S) was adopted. Positive correlations were found between exposure to war, nightmares of war, fear of war, insomnia, and war-related PTSD. The path model using structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis showed that the chain mediation partially explains the relationship between war exposure and war-related PTSD symptoms via nightmares of war, fear of war, and insomnia among university students during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Women scored significantly higher than men in fear of war and symptoms of insomnia and PTSD, but the path model was invariant across genders. Young adults require treatment focused primarily on nightmares, insomnia, and fear of war to prevent PTSD symptoms.
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Citations in the library
Cites 8
- The nature of posttraumatic nightmares and school functioning in war-affected youth PLoS One November 25, 2020
- Prevalence and Characteristics of Posttraumatic Nightmares in War- and Conflict-Affected Students Nature and Science of Sleep March 1, 2021
- Clinical description of sleep and trauma-related nightmares in a population of French active-duty members and veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. L'Encephale November 1, 2022
- Insomnia and nightmare profiles during the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal: characterization and associated factors. Sleep Medicine January 10, 2022
- The Many Faces of Sleep Disorders in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: An Update on Clinical Features and Treatment. Neuropsychobiology September 2, 2021
and 3 more in the library