engleski

Factors associated with referral to psychiatric treatment in war-survivors in Croatia

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the factors associated with referral to psychiatric treatment in the sample of war-survivors in Croatia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a sample of 333 war-survivors in Croatia. Clinical measures included the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I/NP, version 2), the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Semi-Structured Interview for Survivors of War (SISOW). Results: In logistic regression analysis, in addition to some demographic and trauma variables, the critical factors in referring someone for psychiatric treatment are severity of depression and severity of disability due to PTSD symptoms. Severity of PTSD on the contrary, showed no significant predictive value for the referral to psychiatric treatment. Conclusion: Our findings of the critical predictors of referral to psychiatric treatment suggest the importance of further attempts to improve the clinical practice of GPs in recognition and management of PTSD. Early treatment of PTSD patients could prevent chronification and irreparable harm in global functioning due to PTSD.

war-survivors; psychiatric treatment; referral

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