# Shared Strength: Protective Roles of Community Resilience and Social Support in Ukrainian Forced Migration

## TL;DR

This study shows how community resilience helps Ukrainian refugees in Italy by reducing distress and improving well-being through social support.

## Contribution

The study identifies community resilience as a mediator between refugee distress, social support, and well-being.

## Key findings

- Refugee distress negatively affects well-being, partially mediated by community resilience.
- Social support positively affects well-being through full mediation by community resilience.
- High distress reduces community resilience, which in turn lowers well-being.

## Abstract

Forced migration following the outbreak of war in Ukraine has severely affected the psychological well-being of refugees. The community and its resources play an important role in helping refugees cope with their challenges. This study examines the role of community resilience as a mediator between refugee distress, social support and subjective well-being among Ukrainian refugees in Italy. A study was conducted with 180 Ukrainian refugees. Participants were given an online questionnaire that assessed distress, community resilience, social support and subjective well-being. A mediation analysis was conducted to test the hypothesized relationships. There was a direct negative relationship between refugee distress and well-being, which was partially mediated by community resilience. In addition, community resilience fully mediated the positive relationship between social support and well-being. High levels of distress were associated with lower levels of community resilience, which in turn predicted lower levels of well-being. Community resilience emerges as an important factor in mitigating the negative effects of refugee distress and enhancing the positive effects of social support on well-being. These findings highlight the importance of community-based psychosocial interventions aimed at promoting resilience to support the well-being and integration of refugees.