Naslov
THE ANALYSIS OF THE CONCEPTS OF DIGNITY OF THE CROATIAN HOMELAND WAR DISABLED VETERANS

Autori
Leutar, Zdravka ; Jašarević, Tihana

Izvornik
Journal of Alternative Medicine Research (1939-5868) 2 (2010), 2; 229-242

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

Ključne riječi
dignity; disabled veterans of the Homeland war; social involvement.

Sažetak
This study deals with an analysis of the concepts of dignity of disabled veterans of the Homeland war. In the introduction we try to clarify defining the term dignity on the basis of the research formerly made with different groups. Then we meet another important term for this work that is, in a direct translation, an invalid of the Homeland war (an ex-soldier, with some kind of disability, from Guard Brigades or Home Defense Regiments), and, finally, we discuss whether the choice of a qualitative methodology for doing research into this, still uninvestigated topic, is justifiable. The aim of this study is to gain insights into disabled veterans' personal experiences and attitudes about dignity. An interview was conducted with 17 ex-soldiers during 2007, invalids of the Homeland war and members of five different associations of war veterans in Zagreb and Varaždin. All interviewed persons had the status of war invalids with degrees of invalidity from 30 to 90%. On the basis of qualitative analysis of the interview results, six categories were formed: 1) social equality ; 2) valorization of past experiences and personal contribution to the common good ; 3) preservation of tradition and remembrance of the Homeland war ; 4) social participation ; 5) protective role of the State ; 6) respect of basic human rights. Accordingly, a schematic model of relationships between these categories was made which shows how important involvement in society is for the disabled war veterans, since universal human dignity, e. g. Menschenwuerde, stems from social involvement.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Socijalne djelatnosti

POVEZANOST RADA