Original scientific paper
Psychological Problems in Children of War Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Cross-Sectional Study
Miro Klarić
; Department of Psychiatry, Mostar, University Hospital, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Tanja Frančišković
; Psychiatric Clinic, Rijeka University School of Medicine, Croatia
Branka Klarić
; Department of Pulmology, Mostar University Hospital, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ante Kvesić
; Department of Surgery, Mostar, University Hospital, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ana Kaštelan
; Psychiatric Clinic, Rijeka University School of Medicine, Croatia
Mirjana Graovac
; Psychiatric Clinic, Rijeka University School of Medicine, Croatia
Ines Diminić Lisica
; Community Primary Health Centre, Rijeka, Croatia
Abstract
Aim To assess psychological problems in children as reported by
their veteran fathers with war-related posttraumatic stress disorder
(PTSD). Method The study group consisted of 154 veterans with war-related PTSD who were treated at the Mostar University Hospital. The control group consisted of 77 veterans without war-related PTSD who
were selected from veteran associations by the snowball method. General Demographic Questionnaire, the first and fourth module of the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire–Bosnia and Herzegovina version,
and the Questionnaire on Developmental, Emotional, and Behavioral
Problems in Children, created specifically for the needs of this
study, were used to collect data on veterans’ perception of psychological problems in their children. Results In comparison with veterans without PTSD, veterans with PTSD reported significantly more developmental (odds ratio [OR], 2.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.51-3.73), behavioral (OR, 3.92; 95% CI, 1.53-10.03), and emotional problems (OR, 17.74; 95% CI, 2.40-131.10) in their children. Conclusion Veterans with war-related PTSD more often reported developmental problems in their children. Father’s PTSD may have long-term and long-lasting consequences on the child’s personality.
Keywords
psychological problems in children; veterans; PTSD
Hrčak ID:
29262
URI
Publication date:
15.8.2008.
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