Character Strengths Under Collective Adversity: A Thematic Analysis of Strengths in Wartime Ukraine

Background. Ukrainian adolescents have been exposed to prolonged armed conflict, displacement, disruption of education, and persistent uncertainty, all of which may affect their mental well-being. Previous research has primarily focused on symptoms of psychological distress, particularly post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety. Resilience and broader risk and protective factors have also received considerable attention. However, less is known about the specific personal strengths that adolescents and the adults around them perceive as important for coping with wartime adversity. This study explored these strengths using the VIA framework of character strengths. Methods. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using 29 key informant interviews and 21 focus group discussions involving 185 participants, including adolescents, parents, mental health and educational professionals, and institutional stakeholders from four regions of Ukraine. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, combining deductive coding based on the VIA framework with inductive identification of themes emerging from the data. Results. Participants consistently described character strengths as important resources for supporting adolescents' adaptation to wartime challenges. The findings were organized into three broad domains: self-control, caring, and inquisitiveness strengths. Within the self-control domain, self-regulation and perseverance were most frequently associated with maintaining emotional balance, adapting to ongoing disruption, and continuing everyday activities despite adversity. The caring strengths of hope, kindness, love, and teamwork were described as fostering supportive relationships, emotional security, and a sense of future orientation. Within the inquisitiveness domain, social intelligence, critical judgment, and leadership were linked to psychological awareness, appropriate help-seeking, and active participation in supporting others. Across stakeholder groups, character strengths were understood as developing within relationships with families, peers, schools, and communities rather than existing solely as individual characteristics. Conclusions Adolescents and the adults around them perceived character strengths as important personal and relational resources for coping with wartime adversity. Self-regulation, perseverance, and hope were especially prominent, while other strengths supported social connection, psychological awareness, help-seeking, and civic participation. The findings show that these strengths are contextually expressed and embedded within families, peer groups, schools, and communities, providing a basis for further research and for their cautious consideration within adolescent mental health and psychosocial support.