Disturbed family functioning in patients suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether the presence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology is related to specific family problems.


METHODS
The study included 94 subjects who were divided into three groups: a group with posttraumatic stress disorder (based on PCL for DSM-IV National Center for PTSD) (N=31), a group with problems in postwar functioning but without posttraumatic stress disorder (N=33), a group of subjects who were mobilized but with no combat exposure experience (N=30). The first and the second group had the experience of combat exposure. The first group was experimental, being diagnosed with PTSD. The second and the third group were control groups (the first and the second control group). The groups were compared by intensity and quality of family dysfunction, in relation to parameters, determined by specific instruments used in this research.


RESULTS
The subjects with the experience of combat exposure had the problems in family functioning independently of the existence of PTSD diagnosis. Many of these problems were caused by the damage of combat experience. We also found a high level of secondary traumatization among other family members.


CONCLUSIONS
The combat experience causes problems in postwar family functioning of combatants independently of PTSD diagnosis being confirmed. It is, therefore, necessary to help all of the combatants and their families reintegrate, regardless of their PTSD diagnosis.
Clinic for Mental Health Care, Clinical Center Niš, 2 School of Medicine,  University of Niš; Niš, Serbia.
Tatjana
T
Milenković
Maja
M
Simonović
Miodrag
M
Stanković
Ljiljana
L
Samardžić
D000328:Adult; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005195:Family Relations; D006801:Humans; D063826:Kosovo; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D011613:Psychotherapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D014857:Warfare