Psychological legacy of the Holodomor 1933

This research project examined the psychological legacy of the Holodomor through the lens of national post-traumatic stress disorder among modern Ukrainians. While PTSD typically results from overwhelming personal trauma that the psyche cannot fully process, the study explored the possibility that large-scale historical tragedies—especially those surrounded by silence and denial—could produce similar effects at a collective level. The Holodomor, a famine-genocide in Soviet Ukraine, was considered as such a trauma that had not been fully integrated into the national narrative, potentially giving rise to what was termed “national PTSD.”

The project aimed to identify avoidance behaviours, which are typical symptoms of PTSD, in relation to this historical trauma. It investigated how the memory of the Holodomor had been incorporated (or not) into Ukrainians’ worldview and how this influenced their mental health.

Findings from the project informed recommendations for mental health professionals on how to address historical trauma in psychotherapy, particularly within cognitive-behavioural therapy. The results were also integrated into postgraduate training programmes, contributing to improved and context-sensitive clinical education. The research applied a combination of survey methods, focus groups, psychodaram and sociodrama modelling to connect psychological theory, empirical analysis, and historical context in addressing the enduring impact of collective trauma.

Project was funded by Holodomor Education and Reseacrh Council, Canada.