Funds

The Institute of Psychology, Centre for Evaluation and Analysis of Public Policies, and the Institute of Religiosity research funds support this project.

Researchers

Małgorzata Kossowska, Paulina Szwed, Mateusz Blukacz, Ewa Szumowska, Jolanta Perek-Białas, Aneta Czernatowicz-Kukuczka

Goal of the project

We investigate the psychological factors associated with the unprecedented assistance that Poles have offered refugees from Ukraine since the outset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Building on social identity theory, and examining the current social context in Poland, we focus on three social identity dimensions, i.e., a feeling of closeness towards refugees from Ukraine, anticipatory fears (of a Russian invasion), and a community norm of helping. These three dimensions predict collective helping resulting from a sense of a common fate and a feeling of togetherness with Ukrainians. We tested this hypothesis in a study (N=1066) conducted between 11 and 17 March 2022, and in a four-wave panel study (N = 603; two weeks and four weeks, apart in March and April 2022). The results of the study contribute to the discussion on social identity processes underlying offers of help to people fleeing from war-zones. Thus, they enhance our understanding of the role of citizens in terms of their contribution to helping refugees, and can be used to improve responses to other humanitarian crises.