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Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in Bosnian refugees 3 1/2 years after resettlement

Dolores Vojvoda, MD, et al.

Figure. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity scores for female (n = 9) and male (n = 12) Bosnian refugees.

This study describes posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) over 3 1/2 years in  a group of traumatized Bosnian refugees. We evaluated 21 refugees shortly after their arrival in the United States, then 1 year and 3 1/2 years later. On initial assessment, 76 percent of refugees had PTSD, and after 3 1/2 years, 24 percent still met criteria for PTSD. Women and those who could not speak English were more likely to have persisting trauma-related symptoms. This study allows us to identify possible populations at increased risk, such as women and older people, and provide appropriate and timely treatment.


Volume 45 Number 3, 2008
   Pages 421 — 426

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