What Keeps Young People Happy in War Times? Exploring Life Satisfaction of University Students in Ukraine

This study examines life satisfaction of students at Kyiv universities, drawing upon a unique survey conducted by the authors in November 2023. Our analysis shows that students’ contentment with life in war times is influenced by their satisfaction with studies and perceived isolation levels. Russian full-scale invasion has led to a transition towards online modes of education and, hence, study formats significantly define students’ current levels of life satisfaction. However, our results indicate that any adverse effects stemming from exposure to the realities of war can be mitigated if universities offer on-campus psychological support services. Students who report any recent improvements in their lives, even if these improvements are arbitrarily defined, also show higher levels of life contentment.