Predictors of Satisfaction and Value of Advanced Training for Mental Health Professionals in Wartime Ukraine

Abstract

The full-scale escalation of Russia’s war against Ukraine in 2022 created a surge of mental health issues, requiring urgent, evidence-based interventions to reduce trauma and mitigate stress. Reflecting recommendations from leading specialists in the field, Ukrainian mental health professionals sought to develop appropriate skills and knowledge for working in wartime through advanced training programs. This study aimed to investigate the experiences of Ukrainian mental health professionals having completed advanced training in mental health topics in wartime. A survey design was adopted, using the purposefully developed, and validated ‘Wartime Learning Satisfaction Scale’. Regression analysis assessed the hypothesized contribution of four scales (Education, Educator, Learner, and War) to the perceived value of advanced training and learners’ satisfaction. Respondents (n = 271) were trained in up to 30 courses (M = 4.27, SD = 3.03) lasting from two to over 120 h. Regression analysis revealed different predictors for satisfaction and value of the courses. Advanced training resulted in higher satisfaction with learning if it matched professional goals of mental health professionals and perceived higher value when relevant to societal demand, consistently constructed, practically useful, and not solely focusing on war-related issues. Respondents who completed all advanced training courses they were interested demonstrated significantly higher confidence in working in wartime. These findings are essential for effective mental health practice during wartime.

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge:

• The mental health professionals who took the time tocomplete this survey.

• Our colleagues who assisted with the development,testing, and validation of the survey instrument.

• Dr. Kuba Krys for his kind feedback on the first draft of the theoretical framework of this study

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Authorship statement

All authors listed meet the authorship criteria according to the latest guidelines of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. All authors are in agreement with the manuscript.

The contribution of the authors is as follows:

MV - Contributed to all aspects of project, design, preparation, data collection, data analysis and drafting and finalization of manuscript.

VG - Contributed to all aspects of project, design, preparation, data collection, data analysis and drafting and finalization of manuscript.

IF - Contributed to project design, literature review, data analysis and drafting and finalization of manuscript.

VD—Contributed to all aspects of project, design, preparation, data collection, data analysis and drafting and finalization of manuscript.

BH—Contributed to data analysis, and drafting, editing and finalization of manuscript

Ethics approval

Approval was obtained from the Ethics committee of the Faculty of Psychology and Pedagogics, Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University. Full details can be supplied following peer review.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.