Psychosocial Healing and Post-Conflict Social Reconstruction in the Former Yugoslavia

Post-conflict reconstruction encompasses social, physical and political reconstruction. Social reconstruction entails rebuilding the human interactions that allow a society to function. This involves the healing of psychological and social wounds of individuals and society. Psychosocial healing is a process to promote psychological and social health of individuals, families and community groups. The Medical Network for Social Reconstruction in the Former Yugoslavia has pioneered a broad range of psychosocial healing programmes including community-integration programmes, development of volunteer action, and training of professional and lay people to take part in psychosocial healing. These programmes have demonstrated that psychosocial healing can be an effective way to heal post-conflict societal trauma and contribute to rebuilding society with an improved quality of life.     

Periodontal treatment needs in a population of Ljubljana, Yugoslavia

1692 citizens of Ljubljana in the age range from 15 to 65 yr participated in a survey to assess their periodontal treatment needs. Eighty-three of the participants (4.9%) were edentulous and excluded from the study. Of the 1609 dentate subjects only 2.4% were free of any signs of periodontal disease. According to the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs, (CPITN), reversible gingivitis was present in 19.9% of the population, calculus and shallow pockets (4-5 mm) in 57.4%, and deep pockets (greater than or equal to 6 mm) in 20.3% of the examined participants. Bleeding on probing was the most common finding in a group of 15-yr-old subjects, calculus was most frequently found in 25- and 35-yr-old groups, and shallow and deep pockets in 45-, 55- and 65-yr-old adults. Complex treatment needs increased with age, reaching 42.9% in the 65-yr-old population. However, deep pocketing was in 60% limited to one sextant of the participants with complex treatment needs.     

A project in Yugoslavia: Helping the helpers

This article describes a project run by MEDACT in conjunction with UNICEF, supporting local mental health professionals who were providing treatment to children in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia following the war in Bosnia and Croatia. It explores issues of engagement, of the responses of professionals and of understanding some of the psychological processes at work. It also describes a model of working with overseas colleagues in disadvantaged circumstances which is compatible with life in the busy UK health service.     

Occupational Health in Yugoslavia

Abstract

Occupational health in Yugoslavia was once well organized in accordance with WHO declarations and ILO conventions and recommendations. Since the 1990s, the system has been disrupted by destruction of the former Yugoslavia, wars, refugees, changes in the economy, and NATO bombardment. Economic trends, main industries, and employment and unemployment conditions in Yugoslavia are presented. The organization of occupational health services, their tasks, and prevailing problems are discussed. Occupational diseases and relevant research and educational opportunities are described. The authors conclude by suggesting approaches to improving worker's health in the future.     

War and the Health of Nations

This paper raises the question whether the Geneva Conventions and Protocols describe in a sufficiently clear and complete manner the obligations and rights of United Nations (UN) peacekeeping forces, with emphasis on the medical services. After reviewing the formal position of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in former and current UN peacekeeping missions, the Conventions and Protocols are summarized and points of special relevance to the medical services are highlighted. After discussing the interrelationship between IHL and UN peacekeeping missions, the concept of peace enforcement and proposed UN convention protecting UN personnel, it is concluded that there is a need for a document giving a clear definition of the distinct position, obligations and rights of the UN medical services engaged in peace‐promoting missions. Additional tasks in reporting breaches to IHL are also proposed.     

The case of Serbia/Yugoslavia: An analysis through spiral dynamics

Yugoslavia and later Serbia have puzzled the world since the early 1990s. This article presents a study based on the principles of spiral dynamics that were used to analyze the transformation of South Africa. According to spiral dynamics, Yugoslavia under the joint influence of nationalists and retro‐socialists regressed to the egocentric and exploitative level of psychosocial existence and, in spite of recent political changes, has maintained the same centre of gravity. Although its political structure has changed, nationalist and retro‐socialist values remain dominant in the cultural domain and in the domain of self. Yugoslavia/Serbia desperately needs the new dynamic process of development. Priorities are the establishment of a hierarchy of authority, self‐confrontation and development of widely based enthusiasm. These could lead Serbia to become responsible and mature.     

Life situation and posttraumatic symptoms: A follow-up study of refugees from the former Yugoslavia living in Sweden

Posttraumatic symptoms were assessed by means of the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire among 27 severely traumatized refugees from the former Yugoslavia in psychiatric treatment and then 3 years later, after an average of 5.5 years in Sweden. At follow-up the subjects also answered a questionnaire about their life situations. No significant change in average symptom level had taken place at follow-up. Seventeen subjects met the DSM IV criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at both times. However, five subjects who met the PTSD criteria in the first study did not at follow-up, and the opposite was true for another five subjects. Fifteen subjects reported contact with psychiatric care during the past year. Unemployment and dependence on social welfare were high at follow-up. The unemployment rate of 32% was almost six times greater than that for the regular Swedish labor force but comparable to that of the whole Bosnian labor force in Sweden. Social contacts with the majority population were as common as with compatriots, but two-thirds of the subjects expressed a wish for more social contacts outside the family. Positive factors in the subjects' life situations were the housing situation and the fact that most subjects had at least reasonable knowledge of the majority language. However, a minority of the group still had no formal competence in Swedish, with negative consequences for labor market integration and social contact with Swedes. Two-thirds of the group had made no definite decision to stay in Sweden.