Naslov
Mental Health Status, Psychosocial Symptoms and Migration Tendencies of Displaced Persons in Dubrovnik during 1991/92 Siege

Autori
Marić, Ljubica ; Car, Antun ; Betica Radić, Ljiljana ; Radonić, Marija

Izvornik
Croatian medical journal (0353-9504) 35 (1994), 2; 100-104

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Croatia ; displaced persons ; Dubrovnik ; mental health ; psychology ; war

Sažetak
Aims: to asses the effects of three-month war experience on the mental health and migratory plans of displaced persons who found shelter in Dubrovnik. Method: The studystarted in January 1992, when Dubrovnik hotels hosted some 18, 000 displaced civilians from the city's surroundings. The study group comprised 161 married men and women with at least 8 years of education and without previous psychiatric history ; their houses had been destroyed but themselves were not physically injured. Results: 82% of the subjects showed psychosocial and psychosomatic symptoms of clinically borderline disorders. Anxiety-related disorders and somatic symtoms prevailed over depressive tendencies. The incidence of psychological problems increased with age. 93% of the subjects intended to remain in the area until it was possible to return home, 4% would have temporarily moved to a safer zone and 3% planned to migrate permanently. Although aware that their former safe and dependable world was completely undermined, the displaced persons mobilized their emotional resources in different ways, accompanied by anxiety. Conclusion: The considerable life energy of the displaced persons should be taken into account when planning support after their return home.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Javno zdravstvo i zdravstvena zaštita

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