Adaptive effects of the dreams of Ukrainian female refugees to Poland after February 24, 2022
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Dreams support adaptation and resilience. They help people rebuild hope in the aftermath of trauma.
Summary
This paper investigates the dreams of Ukrainian women who fled to Poland after the Russian invasion, revealing how dreams can play a powerful role in coping with trauma and adapting to new lives. Drawing on interviews with 50 refugees, the study finds that, while many dreams reflect the pain and anxiety of war, a surprising number also serve an adaptive purpose—helping women feel hope, joy, or strength in the face of adversity.
The author identifies five main types of “adaptive” dreams: returning home and reuniting with loved ones; experiencing joy or empowerment; receiving clear, uplifting metaphors; encountering good omens; and dreams that help solve real-life problems. Notably, these positive dreams are most common among the women who experienced the greatest trauma, suggesting that dreaming offers a vital resource for psychological resilience.
Ultimately, the research highlights how dreams can support emotional healing—not just by processing trauma, but by generating optimism and practical solutions during difficult times. The findings offer new insight into the role of dreaming in collective crisis and migration.
Owczarski, W. (2025). Adaptive effects of the dreams of Ukrainian female refugees to Poland after February 24, 2022: Some remarks on the emotion-regulation theories of dreaming. International Journal of Dream Research, 18(1), 37–46. https://doi.org/10.11588/ijodr.2025.1.106334 