Well-being of War-displaced Ukrainian Women in Germany: Uneven Roles of Family Separation and Loneliness

Nataliia Levchuk, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR)
Domantas Jasilionis, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research / Vytautas Magnus University
Lisa Kriechel, Federal Institute for Population Research
Martin Bujard, Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB)

War-related displacements have profound impacts on refugee well-being, yet prior studies often focus on male-dominated samples. The refugee wave following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine presents a unique pattern, with a majority of women, many separated from their partners. This study explores the roles of forced family separation and loneliness on life satisfaction, a key dimension of well-being, among Ukrainian women resettled in Germany in 2022. Using structural equation modeling and mediation analysis, we assess direct and indirect effects of separation and loneliness, mediated by language proficiency, social contacts and feeling welcome, and economic and health concerns. Results show that both separation and loneliness significantly affect life satisfaction. Loneliness consistently shows a strong negative impact, both directly and through reduced social contacts and increased economic and health concerns. Family separation’s effect varies, with its negative impact reduced when loneliness is included, suggesting a suppression effect. Moreover, separation shows a slight positive total effect due to its indirect pathways when loneliness and mediators are accounted for. Social contacts and feeling welcome emerge as key mediators. Our findings highlight the importance of addressing loneliness by enhancing social support networks and supporting community integration, potentially offering more effective improvements in the life satisfaction of refugee women than focusing solely on family reunification.

Keywords: Migrant Populations and Refugees, International Migration, Structural equation modelling

See extended abstract.