Inner Peace needs of male psychiatric patients in post-war Croatia are associated with their needs to clarify open issues in their life and their needs for forgiveness.

Background: More than 25 years after the end of the Balkan war, many people belonging to the post-war population are still traumatized by the war events and have been treated for post-traumatic stress disorder or other psychiatric diagnoses. We were interested in their Inner Peace needs, how these relate to indicators of mental health, and their needs to clarify open processes in their lives and to forgive and be forgiven. Materials and methods: In a cross-sectional survey with standardized questionnaires (i.e., SpNQ, PCL-M, HADS, and BMLSS), 638 male patients who were treated in seven psychiatric centers in Croatia were enrolled. 68% were diagnosed with PTSD and 32% had other psychiatric diagnoses. Most had actively participated in the Balkan war (79%), and 60% for the whole war period. Results: Strong needs to "immerse into beauty of nature" were stated by 47%, to "dwell at a place of quietness and peace" by 66%, and to "find inner peace" by 57%. These Inner Peace needs were highest in men treated with PTSD diagnoses as compared to men with other psychiatric diagnoses and were slightly lower in men who were active during the whole war period as compared to shorter phases of war participation. Regression analyses with Inner Peace needs as a dependent variable revealed that Clarification/Forgiveness needs were the best predictor, with further influences of PTSD symptoms and life satisfaction, explaining altogether 49% of the variance. The best predictors of their PTSD symptoms were life satisfaction, perceived burden, depressive symptoms, Inner Peace needs, religious trust, and duration of war participation, explaining 60% of the variance. Conclusion: In Croatian male war participants in clinical treatment decades after the war, Inner Peace needs indicate their ongoing intention to let go of their disturbing experiences and to find states of inner peace, particularly at specific places of quietness and peace. These needs can be considered metaphors for longing for wholeness, integrity, and safety, in contrast to the ongoing impact of unresolved issues. Thus, apart from psychotherapeutic treatment, sheltered places of nature, inspiration, and reconciliation might be elements to improve the difficult situation of post-war victims still suffering from their experiences.

Spiritual needs of PTSD patients in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina: A quantitative pilot study.

BACKGROUND: As a result of the wars in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, many people have been affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Considering that religion plays an important role in both of these countries and that religiosity/spirituality can be a positive coping resource, we were interested in investigating the spiritual needs of PTSD patients in these countries. Also, we aimed to compare the spiritual needs of war veterans and civilians with PTSD. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 120 questionnaires were distributed to civilians and veterans with PTSD at one university hospital in Croatia and in Bosnia-Herzegovina, respectively (response rate: 52.2%). The sample ranged in age from 35-61 years (average age: 49±1 years) and was mostly male (77.8%). The Spiritual Needs Questionnaire (SpNQ 2.1) was used. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS. RESULTS: Two-thirds of participants identified themselves as religious and exhibited a variety of spiritual needs. The intensity of spiritual needs (i.e., Religious Needs, Existential Needs, Inner Peace Needs, Giving / Generativity Needs; but also Social Support needs) did not significantly differ between veterans and civilians. PTSD patients who identified themselves as non-religious had significantly lower Religious Needs and Existential Needs; there was also a trend to lower Inner Peace Needs. CONCLUSION: Regardless of religious identity, PTSD patients in our study expressed several psychosocial, existential and spiritual needs. A holistic approach to treatment of these patients, which includes psychosocial and spiritual aspects, appears meaningful.