The level of physical activity and the feeling of stress in difficult life situations among refugees from Ukraine

Bartosz Gondek, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, PolandFollow
Iwona Bonisławska, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, University of Szczecin, PolandFollow
Milena Lachowicz, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, PolandFollow

Abstract

Background: Russia's attack on Ukraine in February 2022 started the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II. In the face of danger, crowds of civilians decided to leave their homes and escape, among others, to Poland in search of shelter. Materials and methods: The research was conducted on groups of refugees from Ukraine who registered in the first days of the war in Sopot and Pruszcz Gdanski. The refugees came from Kharkov, Mariupol, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and western Ukraine (not involved in hostilities). People from the war zone areas mostly came with only hand luggage. The respondents were divided into two groups: physically active persons (PAP) and physically inactive persons (PIP). The study utilized an original questionnaire of subjective stress assessment covering a group of 77 women – refugees from Ukraine. The questionnaire contained 10 questions related to sociodemographic factors and 20 expressions regarding the level of stress already after arriving in Poland. Results: It was observed that the feeling of stress after arriving in Poland was significantly different (p < 0.05) between the groups of physically active persons (PAP) and physically inactive persons (PIP). There were no statistically significant differences in the other factors related to the components of the perceived distress (depression, resentment, worrying about something bad happening, worrying about oneself and one’s family, worrying about the future, anxiousness, being upset, jitteriness, feeling "worked up", concern). Conclusions: According to the survey declarations, all refugees feel the stress of war and escape, but PAP feel it less in terms of tension. In the situation of a threat such as the ongoing war, higher physical activity does not guarantee the elimination of all components of distress.

Recommended Citation

Gondek B, Bonislawska I, Lachowicz M. The level of physical activity and the feeling of stress among women in difficult life situations among refugees from Ukraine. Balt J Health Phys Act. 2026;18(1): Article5. DOI: 0.29359/BJHPA.18.1.05