Posttraumatic stress disorder in Bosnian war veterans: analysis of stress events and risk factors

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the characteristics of stress-related events, and the risk factors for the development of PTSD. The total patient sample consisted of 100 Bosnian war veterans. Watson's PTSD module was used in establishing PTSD diagnosis. Patients fulfilled the following questionnaires: personal data form, Posttraumatic Symptom Scale PTSS-10 (Holen), Impact of Event Scale (Horowitz), Life Event Scale, and Eysenck Personality Inventory. PTSD was diagnosed in 30% of the examined patients. Larger number of stress-related events, particularly of those regarded as life-threatening, wounding/death of a close person, and material losses were more frequent in persons with PTSD. The risk factors for the development of PTSD in this study were: age (30-40), marital status (married), lower level of education, the front-line combat exposure, neurotic manifestations, family problems in childhood, and neuroticism.