The role of attachment and personality traits in choosing opiate addiction replacement therapy.

Contemporary medical approaches for opioid addiction often include medication-assisted therapy, utilizing methadone and buprenorphine. However, factors influencing patient preferences for starting buprenorphine or methadone therapy are poorly understood. This study aims to explore whether variances in personality traits and attachment styles are related to treatment preferences among individuals undergoing buprenorphine and methadone maintenance therapies. 300 participants completed the Big Five Questionnaire for personality traits and sub-dimensions and the Experiences in Close Relationship Scale for assessing attachment styles. The results indicated that patients with higher levels of Dynamism, Conscientiousness, and Perseverance personality traits were more likely to choose buprenorphine over methadone for achieving and maintaining abstinence. Although attachment styles showed a greater ability to differentiate between groups compared to personality traits, the differences were not significant. However, Conscientiousness stood out for its high discriminant validity, suggesting that scores in this personality dimension could significantly distinguish between groups, with individuals in the buprenorphine group showing higher levels of Conscientiousness compared to the methadone group. The study suggests a partial association between individuals' preference for abstinence therapy and their personality traits. These findings could be considered useful indicators when choosing maintenance therapy to help opiate-addicted patients achieve and maintain abstinence.

First-year nursing students' attitudes towards artificial intelligence: Cross-sectional multi-center study.

AIM: To assess the attitudes of nursing students toward artificial intelligence. BACKGROUND: Possible applications of artificial intelligence-powered systems in nursing cover all aspects of nursing care, from patient care to risk management. Although the final acceptance of artificial intelligence in practice will depend on positive 'nurses' attitudes toward artificial intelligence, those attitudes have gained little attention so far. DESIGN: A cross-sectional multicenter study. METHODS: The study was performed at nursing schools of four Croatian universities, surveying a total of 336 first-year nursing students (response rate 69.7%) enrolled in 2021. A validated instrument, the General Attitudes towards Artificial Intelligence Scale, consisting of 20 Likert-type items, was chosen for the study. Where applicable, the items were contextualized for nursing. Four sub-scales were identified based on the outcomes of the factor analysis. RESULTS: The average attitude score was (mean ± standard deviation) 64.5 ± 11.7, out of a maximum of 100, which was significantly higher than the neutral score of 60.0 (p < 0.001). The attitude towards AI did not differ across the universities and was not associated with students' age. Male students scored slightly higher than their female colleagues. Scores on subscales "Benefits of artificial intelligence in nursing", "Willingness to use artificial intelligence in nursing practice", and "Dangers of artificial intelligence" were favorable of artificial intelligence-based solutions. However, scores on the subscale "Practical advantages of artificial intelligence" were somewhat unfavorable. CONCLUSIONS: First-year nursing students had slightly positive attitudes towards artificial intelligence in nursing, which should make it easier for the new generations of nurses to embrace and implement artificial intelligence systems. Reservations about artificial intelligence in daily nursing practice indicate that nursing students might benefit from education focused specifically on applications of artificial intelligence in nursing.

The Impact of Sociodemographic Characteristics on Coping Strategies Used by Nurses Working at COVID and Non-COVID Hospital Departments during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The aim of our study was to compare coping strategies applied by nurses working during the COVID-19 pandemic at COVID-19 (CoV) and non-COVID-19 (non-CoV) hospital departments with regards to their sociodemographic characteristics in order that the system can provide them better support in future similar situations. Methods: A total of 380 out of 1305 nurses participated in the survey during December 2020. Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) was used. Stepwise regression analysis was used to determine the interaction between sociodemographic characteristics and coping strategies. Results: The CoV married nurses (62.2%) used problem- (p = 0.010) and emotion- (p = 0.003) focused coping more and avoidance coping less (p = 0.007). CoV nurses with master's degrees (11.1%) used both problem- and emotion-focused coping less (p < 0.01), and older nurses used emotional coping more than the younger nurses (p = 0.027), whereas younger nurses used more avoidance coping (p < 0.01). CoV nurses without children (41%) used avoidance strategies more than nurses who had 2−3 children (p < 0.001). Among non-CoV nurses, less use of emotional coping was recorded in nurses with master's degrees (4%) than in those with a high school diploma (44.2%) (p = 0.002). Avoidance coping was also used more by married non-CoV nurses (79.1%) (p < 0.001) and those without children (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Sociodemographic factors such as working experience, age, level of education and marital status influenced chosen coping strategies during the health crisis.

Difference in Pandemic-Related Experiences and Factors Associated with Sickness Absence among Nurses Working in COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 Departments.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to determine the main variables associated with nurses' sickness absence (SA) and to improve the prediction of SA based on pandemic-related experiences. The second aim is to examine the differences between COVID-19 (CoV) and non-COVID-19 (non-CoV) nurses in levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, personality traits, coping strategies and professional stressors experienced. METHODS: This historical prospective study enrolled 1305 nurses from the University Hospital of Split, Croatia. A total of 380 subjects participated in the study, 163 non-CoV and 217 CoV subjects. Nurses' pandemic-related experience questionnaires, Big Five Inventory (BFI), Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5), Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) and Occupational Stress Questionnaire, were used for evaluation. RESULTS: Non-CoV nurses felt more fear of infection, were more socially distanced, had more PTSD symptoms and neuroticism and felt more stress due to public criticism and job requirements compared to CoV nurses; p < 0.001. The groups of SA users and non-SA users could be distinguished based on predictor variables in CoV and non-CoV nurses, with a correct classification of 84.8% vs. 79.1%. CONCLUSIONS: It was possible to predict the probability of using SA among nurses due to pandemic professional experience, personality traits and coping strategies.

Psychosocial effects of the quarantine during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on the residents of the island of Brac.

BACKGROUND: An unprecedented health and economic crisis in small island communities during the COVID-19 pandemic indicated the importance of studying its harmful effects on residents' mental health. OBJECTIVES: To examine the differences in negative affectivity, perceived stressors, and social support both on the quarantined and not quarantined islands. METHODS: A web-based survey and correlational cross-sectional research design were used, based on a nonprobabilistic convenience sampling method to select 613 Croatian islands' residents during May 2020. The participants completed the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the General Information Questionnaire, data on their exposures to stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic and the perceived social support. RESULTS: Compared with the nonquarantined residents of other islands, the island of Brac residents scored significantly higher on the symptoms of depression (M = 11.61; t = 2.13, P < 0.05) and stress (M = 13.06; t = 3.21, P = 0.001) subscales, receiving more support from religious communities (t = 2.34, P = 0.02) and less from the physicians (t = -2.68, P = 0.01). Lower sociodemographic status was associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need to protect mental health in isolated island areas specially for singles and people of low socioeconomic status.

BACKGROUND: This study contributed to the recognition and understanding of the pandemic's impact on the mental health of the isolated island population. The aim was to examine the differences in perceived stressors, perceived social support, and negative affectivity (symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress) between residents of Brac directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and residents of other islands not directly exposed to the pandemic. METHODS AND EXAMINEES: A total of 613 inhabitants of the Croatian islands were included in the analysis during pandemic in May 2020. All participants answered web-based survey about perceived stressors, social support, and psychological symptoms. RESULTS: Staying on the quarantined island during the pandemic significantly contributed to the levels of depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms. It also highlighted the positive impact of connections with family members and the religious community as well as the negative impact of lower socioeconomic status on adaptation in times of pandemic. CONCLUSION: Despite the short duration, the psychological effects of a pandemic were more visible in residents of an island affected by a pandemic compared with residents of other islands not exposed to COVID-19 pandemic.

Questionnaire for Assessing Social Contacts of Nurses Who Worked with Coronavirus Patients during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

(1) Background: The aim of the present study was to develop and validate the psychometric characteristics of a scale measuring nurses' experiences working with COVID-19 patients. (2) Methods: The participants were 180 Croatian nurses who worked in departments with COVID-19 patients, with a mean age of 36.8 years (ranging from 20 to 48). Research was conducted from March to June 2020. For the purpose of constructing the scale, 10 statements were developed. Factor analysis was used to determine the factor structure and construct validity of the scale. (3) Results: The scale consisted of nine statements divided into a three-factor structure: factor I-stigmatization and mistrusting (four items), factor II-social distancing (four items), and factor III-fear of infection (two items). Cronbach α was calculated to confirm the reliability of the scale: factor I-α = 0.80, factor II-α = 0.76, and factor III-α = 0.70. (4) Conclusion: The nurses' pandemic-related experiences scale showed good psychometric properties and can be applied in future research as a standardized tool for measuring health care workers' experience during COVID-19 or other infectious crises.

Peritraumatic Distress and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Contributions of Psychosocial Factors and Pandemic-Related Stressors.

The present study aimed to identify the contributions of sociodemographic factors, psychological hardiness, and pandemic-related stressors to the development of peritraumatic distress and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also examined the mediating contribution of peritraumatic distress with respect to the associations between PTSS and (a) individual characteristics and (b) pandemic-related stressors. A total of 1,238 participants (82.1% women, 17.9% men) aged 18-75 years were included in the study. Participants completed the Dispositional Resilience Scale, Peritraumatic Distress Inventory, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist. The results showed that 11.5% of participants scored above the clinical cutoff for peritraumatic distress, and 12.8% of participants scored above the clinical cutoff for PTSS. Regression models showed that higher levels of peritraumatic distress were statistically predicted by female gender, ß = -.12, p < .001; exposure to more than one stressor, ß = .21, p < .001; lower levels of commitment to people and activities, ß = -.12, p = .002; and resistance to challenges, ß = -.17, p < .001. Additionally, male gender, ß = .05, p = .007; younger age, ß = -.05, p = .005; lower levels of commitment to people and activities, ß = -.11, p < .001; lower ratings of hardiness with regard to challenge, ß = -.04, p = .043; and more severe peritraumatic distress, ß = .75, p < .001, predicted more severe PTSS during the pandemic. Peritraumatic distress mediated the associations between PTSS and both the number of experienced stressors and psychological hardiness.

Vitamin B12 Supplementation in Addition to Folic Acid and Iron Improves Hematological and Biochemical Markers in Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Vitamin B12 plays an important role in cell division and is of vital importance during pregnancy. Iron and B12 deficiency increase the risk of neonatal morbidity and the outcome of the overall pregnancy. The aim of our study was to analyze whether the use of vitamin B12, with standard supplements of folic acid and iron among nonanemic pregnant women, will result in improvements of hemogram parameters in terms of hematological and biochemical markers. Study participants were 200 healthy pregnant women, randomized into an intervention group and a control group, recruited from gynecological primary care practices in Split, Croatia. In addition to standard supplementation (350 mg/day ferrous iron, 5 mg folic acid), participants in the intervention group were given 5 µg of vitamin B12 each morning for 100 days. Both biochemical and hematological measurings were conducted in two intervals: 8th-10th week of gestation and then again in the 34th-36th week of gestation. Participants in the control group were given only standard-of-care iron and folic acid supplementation. Significantly lower values of haptoglobin postintervention, compared with baseline, were found only in the intervention group; for erythrocytes, significantly lower values postintervention were found only in the control group. For parameter hematocrit, we found decreased values postintervention, compared with baseline, in both intervention and control group; however, this decrease was within the reference range for the control group, whereas it was above the reference range for the intervention group. The results of this study indicated that intervention with vitamin B12 in pregnancy reduces possibilities of the onset of anemia, but within reference range.

Emotional Competence and Coping Mechanisms in Croatian Women with Borderline Personality Disorder: the Role of Attachment.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine differences in attachment, emotional competence and coping strategies among women with BPD and a control group, and the contribution of the attachment dimensions to the emotional competence and coping styles. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The group of women with BPD (N=30) and control group of hospital employees (N=47) participated in this cross-sectional study. Attachment, emotional competence and coping were determined by using self-evaluation questionnaires. RESULTS: The results showed that subjects with BPD more often had insecure attachment, lower emotional competence and ineffective coping strategies compared to controls. Higher levels of insecure attachment predicted lower levels of emotional competence and majority of ineffective coping strategies. CONCLUSION: The main findings of this study indicated the importance of insecure attachment to the maintaining of stress intolerance and, particularly, emotional incompetence, which has not been previously studied in the context of BDP. By improving emotional competence and developing more effective coping strategies during therapy, it is possible to contribute to better functionality across different life situations in women with BDP.

Comparison of Sleep Disturbances in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Depression Patients

The aim of this study was to explore differences in the intensity of depressiveness, sleep disturbances and sleepiness between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients and patients with depression. A total of 170 patients were examined, including 120 PTSD patients and 50 patients with depression. All participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. The results showed difference in the subjective assessment of sleep quality between the war veterans with PTSD and civilians with depression, without significant differences between them in the level of depressiveness and sleepiness. Considering the fact that insomnia can occur as an early, covert sign of both PTSD and depression and that differences in the intensity of sleep disturbances between the groups were established, the use of these and similar instruments for the assessment of sleep quality can be useful in distinguishing patients with PTSD and depression, treatment of their sleep disturbances, and prevention of more severe symptoms in both diagnostic categories.

Comorbidities with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among combat veterans: 15 years postwar analysis / Comorbilidades con el Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático (TEPT) entre veteranos de guerra: un análisis a los 15 años después de la guerra

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the prevalence of somatic diseases among combat veterans and their contemporaries who were not exposed to the traumatic experience at the battlefield, and to determine whether socio-demographic factors, exposure to war-time trauma and/or injury might predict individual somatic diseases. The study included 1,558 subjects living in south Croatia: 501 male combat veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the corresponding control group of 825 men who were not exposed to combat experience. Veterans with PTSD, regardless of the length of time spent in war, suffered more often from cardiovascular, dermatological, musculoskeletal, pulmonary and metabolic diseases than corresponding control subjects who were not exposed to combat experience. The predictors of cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and malignant diseases in veterans were age, length of time spent in combat, having been wounded. A longer period in the combat zone was associated with arrhythmias in veterans with PTSD complicated with other psychiatric comorbidities. PTSD as a result of exposure to war trauma increases the possibility of developing somatic diseases (AU)

El propósito de este estudio ha sido comparar la frecuencia de trastornos somáticos en veteranos de guerra y personas no expuestas a la experiencia traumática del campo de batalla, así como determinar si la exposición a factores socio-demográficos en tiempo de guerra pueden predisponer a traumas, alteraciones o trastornos somáticos. El estudio incluye 1,558 sujetos del sur de Croacia: 501 varones veteranos de guerra con síndrome de estrés postraumático (TEPT) y un grupo de control de 825 varones no expuestos a la experiencia de combate. Los veteranos con TEPT, independientemente del tiempo pasado en la guerra, desarrollan más a menudo alteraciones gastrointestinales, cardiovasculares, dermatológicas, locomotoras, pulmonares y metabólicas que los sujetos del grupo control. Los indicadores de alteraciones cardiológicas, locomotoras, entre otros, en veteranos han sido la edad, el tiempo pasado en combate y el daño allí sufrido. Un largo período en la zona de combate ha sido asociado con arritmias y otras complicaciones de tipo psiquiátrico. El TEPT, como resultado de la exposición a experiencias traumáticas del campo de batalla, incrementa la posibilidad de desarrollo de trastornos somáticos (AU)

[Attachment and sexual self-views in shaping sexual and relationship satisfaction--review]. / Privrzenost i seksualno samopoimanje u oblikovanju seksualnog zadovoljstva i zadovoljstva partnerskom vezom--pregled istraiivanja.

Gradual demystification of sexuality, in lay as well as in scientific research terms, has resulted in an increased number of papers which examined the relationship between behavioral-motivational systems of attachment and sexuality over the past decade. Attachment theory was widely used in the studies of human behavior as well as cognitive and emotional characteristics underlying these behaviors. Attachment styles, as relatively stable lifetime patterns, partially determine sexual self-image, and moderate the degree of sexual and relationship satisfaction. Final understanding of these relations, although the subject of considerable research interest, is still missing. In this article, the researches examining the link between attachment and sexuality systems were presented, as well as contribution of those systems to sexual and relationship satisfaction in order to encourage further research in this important area of human life.

Comorbidities with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among combat veterans: 15 years postwar analysis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the prevalence of somatic diseases among combat veterans and their contemporaries who were not exposed to the traumatic experience at the battlefield, and to determine whether socio-demographic factors, exposure to war-time trauma and/or injury might predict individual somatic diseases. The study included 1,558 subjects living in south Croatia: 501 male combat veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the corresponding control group of 825 men who were not exposed to combat experience. Veterans with PTSD, regardless of the length of time spent in war, suffered more often from cardiovascular, dermatological, musculoskeletal, pulmonary and metabolic diseases than corresponding control subjects who were not exposed to combat experience. The predictors of cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and malignant diseases in veterans were age, length of time spent in combat, having been wounded. A longer period in the combat zone was associated with arrhythmias in veterans with PTSD complicated with other psychiatric comorbidities. PTSD as a result of exposure to war trauma increases the possibility of developing somatic diseases.

El propósito de este estudio ha sido comparar la frecuencia de trastornos somáticos en veteranos de guerra y personas no expuestas a la experiencia traumática del campo de batalla, así como determinar si la exposición a factores socio-demográficos en tiempo de guerra pueden predisponer a traumas, alteraciones o trastornos somáticos. El estudio incluye 1,558 sujetos del sur de Croacia: 501 varones veteranos de guerra con síndrome de estrés postraumático (TEPT) y un grupo de control de 825 varones no expuestos a la experiencia de combate. Los veteranos con TEPT, independientemente del tiempo pasado en la guerra, desarrollan más a menudo alteraciones gastrointestinales, cardiovasculares, dermatológicas, locomotoras, pulmonares y metabólicas que los sujetos del grupo control. Los indicadores de alteraciones cardiológicas, locomotoras, entre otros, en veteranos han sido la edad, el tiempo pasado en combate y el daño allí sufrido. Un largo período en la zona de combate ha sido asociado con arritmias y otras complicaciones de tipo psiquiátrico. El TEPT, como resultado de la exposición a experiencias traumáticas del campo de batalla, incrementa la posibilidad de desarrollo de trastornos somáticos.

Long-term improvement in coping skills following multimodal treatment in war veterans with chronic PTSD.

Due to the long-lasting and resistant symptoms characteristic of chronic combat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), its treatment is complex and often requires a tailored therapeutic approach incorporating both psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. A multimodal approach of psychoeducative, sociotherapeutic, and dynamically oriented trauma-focused groups is described. We assessed the short- and long-term effectiveness of this therapeutic program by monitoring its impact on PTSD symptoms, depression, neurotic symptoms, coping skills, and quality of life for three years. The findings revealed short-term reduction in the symptoms of PTSD and depression, while the long-term results were manifested as the increased use of all coping mechanisms and a greater level of obsession.

The personality traits and social characteristics of Croatian heroin addicts and cannabis users.

The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in social characteristics (level of education, working and family status, and criminal record) between heroin addicts, cannabis users and a control group. Additional goal was to explore the possibility of discerning subjects of different addiction status (of both gender) based on their scores on Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ). In comparison to the control group, heroin addicts and cannabis users had lower level of education, were more frequently unemployed and with criminal record, and more often came from dysfunctional families. In cannabis users the frequency of these characteristics was generally lower than in heroin addicts. Proportion of correct classification of subjects in groups of different addiction status based on the EPQ scores was 23.3% for males (higher than by chance alone), and 30% for females.

Psychosocial intervention as the additional therapy for bipolar affective disorder: a case report.

Psychosocial interventions have been shown to enhance pharmacotherapy outcomes in bipolar affective disorder (BAD). This article describes an application of psychosocial intervention as the additional therapy for BAD. In this case report we present the course of illness, psychological features and specific chronic stress of a patient with BAD. Following the recent guidelines, we applied the pharmacotherapy together with an adjuvant psychosocial treatment (psycho-education, supportive and psychodynamic therapy). Psycho-education was used to inform patient and family members about the disorder, course of illness and treatment. Supportive therapy helped the patient to deal with her illness and deepened her understanding of her present problems. Psychodynamic psychotherapy was used to examine the meanings of unconscious conflicts and the ways the stressor activates the patient's deeply repressed traumatic experiences. This case study indicates that psychosocial treatment applied as adjuvant therapy of pharmacotherapy in the treatment of BAD may result in symptom remission, improvement of life quality and illness relapse prevention.

Sexual functioning in war veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.

AIM: To assess the sexual dysfunction among Croatian war veterans with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHOD: The study included two groups--101 war veterans with PTSD and 55 healthy control volunteers receiving outpatient general health care in several outpatient clinics in Split. tructured interviews on different aspects of sexual functioning were conducted from April to October 2007 by trained interviewers. RESULTS: Respondents with PTSD reported significantly less sexual activity during the previous month than controls (sexual fantasies 2.5+/-1.6 vs 3.7+/-1.7, P<0.001; foreplay 2.4+/-1.6 vs 3.5+/-1.6, P<0.001; oral sex 1.6+/-1.2 vs 2.6+/-1.5, P<0.001; and sexual intercourse 2.4+/-1.6 vs 3.8+/-1.5, P<0.001) on a 7-point Likert type scale (from 1--not a single time to 7--more times a day). As reasons for reduced sexual activities, respondents with PTSD more frequently than controls reported their own health problems (3.2+/-1.2 vs 1.5+/-0.8; P<0.001) or health problems of their partner (2.4+/-1.1 vs 1.9+/-1.1; P=0.004), whereas controls more frequently reported overwork than respondents with PTSD (2.6+/-1.1 vs 2.1+/-1.0; P=0.007) on a 5-point Likert type scale (from 1--not a single time to 5--always). Respondents with PTSD reported antidepressant (n=52, 51%) or anxyolitics use (n=73, 72.3%). In a subgroup analysis, respondents with PTSD who were taking antidepressants masturbated less frequently than those who were not taking them (1.9+/-1.3 vs 2.5+/-1.6; P=0.039), whereas premature ejaculation was more often experienced by respondents with PTSD who were not taking antidepressants than by those who were taking them (3.5+/-1.8 vs 2.7+/-1.5; P<0.049) both on a 7-point Likert type scale (from 1--not a single time to 7--more times a day). Conclusion. War veterans with PTSD had less sexual activity, hypoactive sexual desire, and erectile difficulties. Antidepressant therapy in veterans with PTSD may be associated with hypoactive sexual desire.

Short-term memory in Croatian war veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.

AIM: To assess short-term memory impairment in war veterans with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHOD: The study included 20 war veterans diagnosed with PTSD and 21 control subjects matched for age, sex, and education level. Both groups were tested with the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCFT), consisting of Copy, Immediate Recall, and Delayed Recall steps, and Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT). Subjects with visuoperceptive and visuoconstructional deficits, as indicated by their ROCFT Copy scores were excluded from the analysis, because this type of cognitive deficit could interfere with the results of the next two ROCFT steps measuring short-term memory. RESULTS: Subjects with PTSD scored significantly lower than control subjects on both Immediate Recall (mean+/-standard deviation [SD], 16.3+/-6.4 vs 26.7+/-4.5, respectively; P<0.001, t-test for independent samples) and Delayed Recall tests (15.7+/-6.1 vs 26.3+/-4.6, respectively; P<0.001, t-test for independent samples) on ROCFT test. Intragroup comparison showed that both groups scored significantly lower on Immediate Recall test in comparison with Copy test (19.3+/-6.4 for veterans and 8.9+/-4.5 for controls; P<0.001 for both, t-test for dependent samples), whereas no significant score difference was found between Immediate and Delayed Recall scores in either group (0.7+/-2.4 for veterans, P=0.239, t-test for dependent samples; and 0.5+/-1.8 for controls, P=0.248, t-test for dependent samples), which indicated greater difficulties with acquiring new information than with recalling already memorized information. Subjects with PTSD made significantly more errors on the BVRT for visuoperceptive and visuoconstructional abilities than control subjects (7.8+/-2.9 for veterans; 4.0+/-1.88 for controls; P<0.001, t-test for independent samples). CONCLUSION: War veterans with PTSD had impaired short-term memory and visual retention, but these cognitive deficits could not be related to traumatic experiences with certainty.