SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS OF UKRAINIAN REFUGEES IN SWITZERLAND IN THE WAR’S FIRST YEAR: AGE, EDUCATION, AND GENDER PECULIARITIES

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the problems of adaptation of refugees from Ukraine who have found refuge in Switzerland. The objectif of the study was to examine the age, educational and gender peculiarities of Ukrainian refugees’ experience of two types of social and psychological problems: their own problems they faced after arriving in Switzerland and problems related to the adaptation of their minor children. Using the method of a social and psychological online survey in June-September 2022, a sample of 690 respondents (women – 93.6 %) aged 16 to 68 years was formed. Results. The gender, social, age and professional characteristics of the respondents were determined. A qualitative and quantitative analysis of the main problems of Ukrainian refugees in Switzerland in the first year of the war was conducted. Their connection with socio-demographic factors, in particular, age, gender and level of education of Ukrainian refugees is shown. Two types of adult adaptation problems are identified: socio-economic (housing, work, finances, language, culture) and socio-psychological (negative emotions, experiences, conflicts, etc.), as well as three groups of problems related to children: their adaptation to the culture and education system of Switzerland; children’s mental health; communication and relationships with peers and parents. It is shown that, according to the set of statistically significant differences obtained, the gender factor is most closely related to the problems of adaptation of the respondents themselves, the age factor is the least influential, the age of parents is most closely related to the problems of adaptation of their children, and the least influential is the factor of their education. Conclusions. The target group of prevention and social and psychological support programs should be primarily women with higher education aged 36–45 who came to Switzerland with minor children, without knowledge of the official languages of Switzerland, who are experiencing employment problems and significant mental suffering related to the migration situation. The findings will be useful for organizations and professionals who provide assistance to Ukrainian refugees.