VOICES OF RESILIENCE: REFLECTIONS OF UKRAINIAN SOCIAL WORKERS IN TIMES OF WAR

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25128/2520-6230.24.1.1

Keywords:

social work, war, adaptation, challenges, resilience, reflections

Abstract

This article focuses on the challenges and adaptations faced by social workers in Ukraine in response to the full-scale Russian invasion that began in February 2022. Employing a narrative research design, the article analyzes semi-structured interviews with 12 social workers from various regions of Ukraine, conducted during February-March 2024. These interviews aimed to collect in-depth personal recollections and experiences related to the impact of the war on social work practice. From the analysis of the gathered information, three key themes were identified: (1) reactions to the onset of the full-scale invasion and actions of social workers; (2) the manifestation of resilience by social institution workers in wartime; (3) lessons and prospects. The interviews revealed that, in wartime conditions, social workers face unprecedented difficulties, including the loss of documents by clients during evacuation, an increase in the number of vulnerable individuals, and risks to their own lives and health. Despite this, they demonstrate remarkable dedication to their mission, adapting to changing circumstances and continuing to provide essential support and assistance. The article examines how the military conflict affects the practice of social work, highlighting innovative approaches and adaptation strategies. Special attention is given to the need for developing standardized procedures for crisis situations, the importance of international cooperation and experience exchange, and the role of technology in supporting effective social work. Given the overall situation, the article offers recommendations for the further development and strengthening of the social work system in Ukraine. In particular, it emphasizes the necessity of preparing social workers for wartime conditions, including training in self-help and self-recovery techniques, engaging communities in mutual support, and the importance of optimistic hope and faith in the future as critical components of resilience.

Author Biographies

Olha STOLIARYK, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine

PhD in Social Work

Tetyana SEMIGINA, Member of National Qualifications Agency, Ukraine

Dr. in Political Sciences, Professor

References

Кабінет Міністрів України (2023). Про внесення змін до постанов Кабінету Міністрів України від 30 жовтня 2013 р. № 841 і від 29 липня 2022 р. № 854: Постанова від 7 березня 2023 р. № 209. [Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (2023). On amendments to Resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 841 of October 30, 2013 and No. 854 of July 29, 2022: Resolution No. 209 of March 7, 2023]. [in Ukrainian]. URL: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/209-2023-%D0%BF#Text].

Міністерство соціальної політики (2022). Марина Лазебна: «ми оцінили потреби та підготували систему соціального захисту для підтримки тих, хто цього потребує, за будь-якого розвитку подій». Https://www.msp.gov.ua/news/21435.html [Ministry of Social Policy. (2022). Maryna Lazebna: “We assessed the needs and prepared a system of social protection to support those who need it, in any development”]. [in Ukrainian]. URL: https://www.msp.gov.ua/news/21435.html

Семигіна, Т. (2022). Уроки війни, (не) вивчені вітчизняною соціальною роботою. Традиційні та інноваційні підходи до наукових досліджень. Матеріали ІІІ Міжнар. наук. конф. (с. 47-49). Київ: МЦНД. [Semigina, T. (2022). Lessons of war, (not) learned by domestic social work. Traditional and innovative approaches to scientific research. Materials of the III International of science conf. (pp. 47-49). Kyiv: MCND]. [in Ukrainian].

Семигіна, Т.В. (2020). Дослухаючись до розповідей: наративні дослідження у соціальній роботі. Korszerű műszerek és algoritmusa tapasztalati és elmé leti tudományos kutatási (Hang 2, pp. 115-117). Budapest: Európean Scientific Platforme. [Semigina, T.V. (2020). Listening to Stories: Narrative Research in Social Work. Korszerű műszerek és algoritmusa tapasztalati és elmé leti tudományos kutatási (Hang 2, pp. 115-117). Budapest: Európean Scientific Platforme]. [in Ukrainian].

Семигіна, Т. & Палатна, Д. (2023). Самоорганізація громад в умовах природних та штучних катастроф: уроки для української соціальної роботи. Соціальна робота в громаді:сучасні виклики та перспективи розвитку: Матеріали Всеукр. наук.-практ. конф. (с. 44-47). Дніпро: ДНУ імені Олеся Гончара. [Semigina, T. & Palatna, D. (2023). Self-organization of communities in the conditions of natural and man-made disasters: lessons for Ukrainian social work. Social work in the community: modern challenges and prospects for development: Materials of the All-Ukrainian. science and practice conf. (pp. 44-47). Dnipro: DNU named after Oles Honchar]. [in Ukrainian].

Столярик, О. & Семигіна, Т. (2023). Повернутися з війни: психосоціальна підтримка ветеранів/-нок та членів їхніх сімей. Social work and education, 10(1), 63-77. [Stoliaryk, O. & Semigina, T. (2023). Returning from war: psychosocial support for veterans and their families. Social work and education, 10(1), 63-77]. [in Ukrainian].

СТС (2022). Вбиті росією: соціальна працівниця з Сумщини загинула під час обстрілу Катеринівки. https://sts.sumy.ua/society/vbyti-rosiieiu-sotsialna-pratsivnytsia-z-s.html [STS. (2022). Killed by Russia: a social worker from Sumy Oblast died during the shelling of Katerynivka]. [in Ukrainian]. URL: https://sts.sumy.ua/society/vbyti-rosiieiu-sotsialna-pratsivnytsia-z-s.html.

ТСН (2022). Росіяни обстріляли пункт видавання гумдопомоги в Оріхові: загинув соцпрацівник, є поранені. [TSN. (2022). The Russians shelled the rubber aid distribution point in Orihiv: a social worker was killed and others were injured]. [in Ukrainian]. URL: https://bit.ly/3TmCIFp.

Чиханцова, О. А.(2023). Розвиток резильєнтності особистості в ситуаціях невизначеності. Вчені записки ТНУ імені В. І. Вернадського. Серія: Психологія, 34(73): 1, 35–40. [Chikhantsova, O. A. (2023). Development of personal resilience in situations of uncertainty. Scientific notes of TNU named after V. I. Vernadskyi. Series: Psychology, 34(73): 1, 35–40]. [in Ukrainian]. URL: https://doi.org/10.32782/2709-3093/2023.1/07

Fletcher, A.J. (2017) ‘Applying critical realism in qualitative research: methodology meets method’, International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 20, 181-194. doi: 10.1080/13645579.2016.1144401.

Grant, L., & Kinman, G. (2014). Emotional resilience in the helping professions and how it can be enhanced. Health and Social Care Education, 3(1), 23–34. https://doi.org/10.11120/hsce.2014.00040

Laro, A. (2023). Resilient Social Work Practice: From the Experiences of Filipino Social Workers. Asean Social Work Journal, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.58671/aswj.v11i02.56

Mikheieva, O., & Kuznetsova, I. (2024). War-time volunteering and population displacement: from spontaneous help to organised volunteering in post-2014 Ukraine. Voluntary Sector Review, 15(1), 74–91. https://doi.org/10.1332/20408056Y2023D000000009

PACE (2024). Situation of the children of Ukraine: Resolution adopted on 25 January, 2024. https://pace.coe.int/en/files/33348

Razumkov Center (2024). Assessment of the economic situation, social well-being of citizens, faith in victory (January, 2024). https://razumkov.org.ua/en/research-areas/surveys/assessment-of-the-economic-situation-social-well-being-of-citizens-faith-in-victory-january-2024

Right to Defense (2023). Development of social services during the war: research. https://r2p.org.ua/page/doslidzhennia-rozvytok-sotsialnykh-posluh-pid-chas-viiny []

Scoloveno, R. (2016) Concept Analysis of Resilience Phenomena. Journal of Nursing and Care, 5, 353. https://doi.org/10.4172/2167-1168.1000353

Semigina, T. (2019). Frustrations or moving forward? Ukrainian social work within the ‘hybrid war’ context, European Journal of Social Work, 22 (3), 446-457. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691457.2017.1366432

Seng, B. K., Subramaniam, M., Chung, Y. J., Syed Ahmad, S. A. M., & Chong, S. A. (2021). Resilience and stress in frontline social workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore. Asian Social Work and Policy Review, 15, 234–243. https://doi.org/10.1111/aswp.12237

Stepaniuk, N. (2022) Wartime civilian mobilization: demographic profile, motivations, and pathways to volunteer engagement amidst the Donbas war in Ukraine, Nationalities Papers, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1017/nps.2021.82

Published

2024-05-27

How to Cite

STOLIARYK, O. ., & SEMIGINA, T. . (2024). VOICES OF RESILIENCE: REFLECTIONS OF UKRAINIAN SOCIAL WORKERS IN TIMES OF WAR. Social Work and Education, 11(1), 7–22. https://doi.org/10.25128/2520-6230.24.1.1

Issue

Section

RECENT ISSUES IN SOCIAL WORK