COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ANXIETY LEVELS IN PREGNANT WOMEN FROM FRONT-LINE AND REAR REGIONS OF UKRAINE

Abstract

The article focuses on the study of anxiety manifestations among pregnant women living under different wartime conditions – in front-line and rear regions of Ukraine. Anxiety during the perinatal period is viewed as a multidimensional phenomenon that combines general psychological mechanisms and contextual factors of pregnancy. Pregnancy, as a critical stage of personal development, is characterized by heightened emotional sensitivity, while its course largely depends on social and environmental conditions. Wartime circumstances, in contrast to peacetime, generate a specific type of perinatal anxiety that combines fear for one’s own safety, the fetus, and the future of the child. The empirical study involved 60 pregnant women aged 20–38, divided into two groups: residents of front-line regions (Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia) and rear regions (Lviv, Ternopil, Vinnytsia). The State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) by Spielberger–Khanin, the Sarason Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ), and an author-designed socio-psychological questionnaire were applied. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, Student’s t-test, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (SPSS 27). The comparative analysis revealed statistically significant differences between the groups: women from front-line regions demonstrated 10–15% higher levels of both state and trait anxiety compared to those from rear regions. A negative correlation was found between social support and state anxiety (r = –0.42; p < 0.01), as well as a positive correlation between the frequency of air raid alarms and anxiety level (r = 0.38; p < 0.05). The results confirm that war creates a multidimensional psychosocial strain, and the level of anxiety among pregnant women depends on the combination of external threats, access to healthcare, and quality of social support. The study highlights the practical importance of developing a differentiated approach to psychological assistance for pregnant women, considering their living conditions and level of exposure to danger. It recommends the implementation of systematic anxiety screening in medical institutions, the development of peer-support groups in front-line areas, the application of cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based interventions, and the creation of a national program for the psycho-emotional support of pregnancy. The findings expand understanding of the impact of war on perinatal mental health and provide a foundation for interdisciplinary strategies to support expectant mothers under crisis conditions.