Complex Sequelae of Psychological Trauma Among Kosovar Civilian War Victims

Nexhmedin Morina and Julian D. Ford
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Nexhmedin Morina: University of Frankfurt, Department of Psychology, Varrentrappstr. 40-42, D-60486 Frankfurt am Main, Germany, morina@psych.uni-frankfurt.de
Julian D. Ford: Department of Psychiatry MC1410, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave., Farmington, CT 06032, USA

International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 2008, vol. 54, issue 5, 425-436

Abstract: Aims: The impact of war trauma on civilians may include, but also extend beyond, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to include complex sequelae such as those described by the syndrome of Disorders of Extreme Stress Not Otherwise Specified (DESNOS). Methods: In the present study, 102 civilian war victims were interviewed in Kosovo, assessing traumatic life events, PTSD, DESNOS, and depression. Results: Full DESNOS rarely occurred (2% prevalence), however, clinically significant DESNOS symptoms of somatization, altered relationships, and altered systems of meaning were reported by between 24—42% of respondents. Although DESNOS symptoms were correlated with PTSD symptoms, DESNOS symptoms were associated with poorer overall psychological functioning, self-evaluations, satisfaction with life, and social support independent of the effects of PTSD. Conclusion: The findings suggest that DESNOS warrants attention in addition to PTSD in the assessment and treatment of civilians who have been exposed to war and genocide.

Keywords: civilians; DESNOS; post-traumatic stress; trauma; war (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:54:y:2008:i:5:p:425-436

DOI: 10.1177/0020764008090505

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