ABSTRACT
We aimed to assess, in socio-cultural context, the level of hatred and revenge in war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The sampling frame consisted of 215 Kosova War veterans, randomly selected. The Harvard Trauma Questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of PTSD and Manchester Short Assessment of Life was used to assess social satisfactions. The participants were asked to declare the strength of feelings of hatred and revenge in the four preceding weeks by using four items scale: not at all, a little bit/sometimes, a lot and extremely. Willingness for action of veterans was assessed using three item scale: yes, no or maybe. A probability level of 0.05 was adopted to be considered as statistically significant for differences among groups. DSM-IV-TR criteria for PTSD (very similar to DSM-V) were met by 52.6% of veterans; the data have confirmed existence of thoughts and fantasies of revenge against opposing forces by 42.8% veterans; at the same level 42.8% manifested feelings of hatred. Fantasies of taking revenge a lot was recorded by 19.5% and extremely by 1.4% of veterans, while hateful thoughts at level a lot were likely expressed by 22.3% and extreme by 2.8% of veterans. It is important to note that 84.7% were confident to act based on their beliefs. Social-economic and cultural factors have played major role in the understanding of psychological problems of traumatized individuals with a direct impact on their ability to function socially. This study has confirmed the urgent need for the establishment of psychological rehabilitation programs as well as programs for the social and economic rehabilitation of War Veterans.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to (a) evaluate the influence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other comorbid disorders on suicidal risk among combat veterans and (b) evaluate the impact of psychosocial factors on the escalation of suicidal risk. METHODS: Data were gathered from a random and representative sample of 215 Kosovo War veterans. Subjects were assessed for the presence of lifetime and current psychiatric disorders according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Revision (DSM-IV TR) using the following questionnaires: Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck's Suicide Intent Scale (BSIS). RESULTS: Suicidal ideations were observed in 44 (20.5%) of the 215 subjects. High suicide risk was found in 31.8% veterans diagnosed with PTSD and comorbid major depressive disorder. In addition, high suicide risk was also observed in the group of unemployed veterans, veterans dissatisfied with social/economic attainment and veterans dissatisfied with living conditions. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that socioeconomic factors contributes to the deterioration of symptoms of major depression, PTSD and other comorbid disorders, with a direct impact of worsening suicidal ideations and suicidal behavior among war veterans.
