Psychosomatic and depressive symptoms in civilians, refugees, and soldiers: 1993-2004 longitudinal study in Croatia.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate psychosomatic complaints and depressive symptoms among civilians, refugees, and soldiers in the war and post-war period in Croatia.


METHODS
The design of the study was longitudinal, including four repeated assessments during the war and post-war period (1993, 1995, 2000, and 2004). The baseline assessment included 480 male participants who were asked to fill out the questionnaires about demographic data, psychosomatic complaints, and depressive symptoms. The final sample included 128 civilians, 88 refugees, and 70 soldiers, who were interviewed at all assessment time points.


RESULTS
Levels of psychosomatic and depressive symptoms changed with time. Refugees showed the highest level of depressive symptoms in general (F=4.17, P=0.016). Psychosomatic complaints were dominant in soldiers and refugees at all assessment time points (F=210.30, P<0.001). Soldiers showed a significant increase in psychosomatic complaints with time, whereas refugees showed a decrease. Contrary to these findings, civilians showed relatively low level of psychosomatic complaints and did not show any significant changes with time.


CONCLUSIONS
It seems that for refugees and soldiers, prolonged stressful situation has long-term health implications primary related to the psychosomatic complaints.
Proroković
Ana
A
Department of Psychology, University of Zadar, Kresimirova obala 2, 23000 Zadar, Croatia. aprorok@unizd.hr
Cavka
Majda
M
Cubela Adorić
Vera
V
D000328:Adult; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014857:Warfare