Through the Lens of War: Attitudes Toward Violence in Contemporary Ukraine

• In Event: Violence, Legitimacy, and Social Responses in Times of War and Conflict

Abstract

Little attention has been paid to how civilians perceive different forms of violence during ongoing wars and armed conflicts. Understanding perceptions of violence is crucial for designing effective interventions and support systems that address both immediate and long-term consequences of conflict-related violence. This study utilizes qualitative interviews among 50 Ukrainian civilians, including internally displaced people, to examine attitudes toward different types of violence during wartime. Results reveal that while Ukrainians largely reject any type of violence, violent behavior is more commonly accepted when used as self-defense. Non-displaced respondents are more likely to justify violent resistance during revolutions and riots against oppressive governments, whereas displaced individuals tend to view violence as more acceptable in extreme interpersonal conflicts. Furthermore, the concept of "latent violence" has emerged, capturing the underlying feelings of worry, discomfort, and suffering experienced during wartime, which can accumulate over time and manifest in unexpected emotional outbursts. Policy implications on reducing the acceptance of violence during war are discussed.

Authors

• Olena Antonaccio, University of Miami

• Anastasiia Timmer, California State University, Northridge

• Ekaterina Botchkovar, Northeastern University