Culture and Religion Meaning-Making Coping Strategies in Wartime: Insights from a Qualitative Study on the Coping Experiences of Ukrainians

Abstract

This study explores how Ukrainians use religious and spiritual meaning-making coping strategies during the ongoing war, shaped by cultural traditions, historical experiences, and personal circumstances. Its aim is to deepen understanding of culturally relevant resilience mechanisms in extreme adversity. Using a qualitative design, 67 semi-structured interviews were conducted across diverse Ukrainian regions between January 2024 and June 2025. Participants varied widely in religious affiliation, culture, and socio-demographics. Interviews focused on personal coping, spiritual and religious practices, and the role of cultural narratives in resilience. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis and interpretative phenomenological analysis, guided by resilience theory and socio-cultural coping models. Findings revealed diverse coping strategies, including traditional religious practices (prayer, services, scripture), personalized spirituality (individual rituals, meditation), and cultural-ancestral traditions (commemorations, symbolic acts linked to history). Hybrid approaches combining faith and psychological techniques were common. Many participants drew strength from patriotic narratives and national identity, gaining emotional relief, coherence, moral strength, and hope amid traumata. The study highlights religious and spiritual meaning-making as a vital psychological and cultural resource in wartime. Effective mental health support must recognize these culturally embedded practices, moving beyond symptom-focused models to holistic approaches that integrate spirituality, culture, and history in fostering resilience.