Psychological and somatic distress profiles in young adults in and out of conflict settings: a cluster-based analysis of three population-based studies in Ukraine and Switzerland
Author(s): Ann-Kathrin Schwientek, Julia Braun, Andreas M. Baumer, Viktoriia Yasenok, Viktoriia Petrashenko, Marco Kaufmann, Anja Frei, Seraina Rüegger, Tala Ballouz, Andrii Loboda, Vladyslav Smiianov, Susi Kriemler, Viktor von Wyl, Susanne Walitza, Andriana Kostenko, Stefan Büchi, Milo A. Puhan
Source: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1922204
Abstract
Young adulthood is a developmental period characterized by major life transitions and increased exposure to stress, during which vulnerability to psychological and somatic symptoms may be heightened. These symptoms frequently co-occur, posing challenges for diagnostic and treatment approaches. Despite the mental and physical symptom burden among young adults, population-based data on symptom patterns in this age group remains sparse. This study investigates psychological and somatic symptom patterns among young adults in three populations with differing socio-geographic and war-related context: young adults in Switzerland, Ukrainians who fled to Switzerland, and Ukrainians living in Ukraine.