Research

We aim to create an evidence base that will serve as a foundation for effective assistance, support programs, and public policy in the field of mental health.

We are working to:

conduct quantitative and qualitative research on the mental health of children who have experienced war trauma;

evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs and approaches;

develop new programs tailored to the needs of children in the context of war and post-war recovery;

collaborate with international universities, research centers, and non-governmental organizations to integrate Ukrainian experience into global knowledge and draw on best practices from around the world.

The analytical study "Psychological and Emotional Well-Being of Children with the Experience of Temporary Occupation and Deportation"

Conducted research reveals how the war has affected the mental health of children who have lived through occupation, forced displacement, or the loss of their homes. The research covered children aged 6 to 17, who took part in Gen. Camp — a rehabilitation intensive designed by Gen. Ukrainian and based on trauma-informed approaches.

The White Paper contains practical recommendations for professionals and educators — on how to create psychologically safe learning environments, prevent retraumatization, and foster children’s self-regulation, critical thinking, and sense of control.

The Gen. Ukrainian team of psychologists combined validated international tools (CATS-2, CRIES-8) with art-therapy, body-oriented, and group-based practices.

Assessment of the impact of the psychological rehabilitation program "Protected by Love" on the mental well-being of Ukrainian children during the war

The data obtained indicate the effectiveness of the “Protected by Love” rehabilitation program for children in reducing psychological stress, improving psychosocial functioning, and developing adaptive strategies for overcoming difficulties, which ultimately improves the overall well-being of participants affected by the war.

Further research could delve deeper into the long-term effects of such interventions and explore additional factors that influence the psychological resilience of children affected by war.

Adaptation of the Ukrainian version of the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screening (CATS)

The adapted CATS methodology is a valid tool for identifying traumatic psychopathology in children and adolescents in Ukraine who have been affected by war. Its use allows for a better understanding of the impact of war on mental health.