Relationship between Socio-Demographic Factors and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Cross Sectional Study among Civilian Participants' Hostilities in Ukraine.

Stanisław Fel,Katarzyna Lenart-Kłoś,Krzysztof Jurek

doi:10.3390/ijerph19052720

Abstract

Background: Even though there is an extensive body of literature on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in individuals who have experienced armed conflict, there are still many grey areas, especially in relation to civilian participants in hostilities. This article evaluates how socio-demographic factors and the interactions between them have influenced PTSD among civilians involved in the recent war in Ukraine. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a convenience sample of 314 adults, 74 women, and 235 men. The mean age was 34.08 years. We used the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist–Civilian Version (PCL-C). Results: Our findings show that predictors of posttraumatic stress are loss of a loved one, place of residence, gender, continuation of education, and health insurance. We demonstrated that PTSD produced by the loss of a loved one as a result of war is determined by participation in the education system, whatever the level of education. The literature emphasises the importance of social support, e.g., from the family. We demonstrated that having children is associated with a risk of more severe PTSD, causing serious mental strain among participants of hostilities. We discovered that material security lowers PTSD, but only among people who have no children. Conclusions: PTSD is the result of not only the violence and damage caused by war but also of other stressful circumstances associated with the social and financial conditions of life. Further research needs to focus on identifying modifiable risk factors and protective factors that could be embraced by intervention strategies. Our findings can inform the goals behind therapeutic support for civilian participants of hostilities, and implications for social work. Social work professionals are encouraged to engage in direct questioning and to maintain a supportive and safe environment for participants in hostilities, e.g., in the area of education. Trauma-affected people need to be given opportunities to build up their strengths and increase their psychological resources towards well-being. Social security (health insurance, savings, material security) should be taken into account when working with people affected by PTSD.

Highlights

It is estimated that, from the end of the Cold War, nearly half of all countries in the world have been affected by armed conflict
1989 and 2015 nearly a billion people lived in regions directly involved in war. They estimated that about 354 million adults, who have experienced war, suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depression (MD), and approximately 117 million of them suffer from both these conditions
PTSD is the result of the violence and damage caused by war and of other stressful circumstances associated with the social and financial conditions of life

Summary

Introduction

From the end of the Cold War, nearly half of all countries in the world have been affected by armed conflict. They estimated that about 354 million adults, who have experienced war, suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depression (MD), and approximately 117 million of them suffer from both these conditions. Even though there is an extensive body of literature on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in individuals who have experienced armed conflict, there are still many grey areas, especially in relation to civilian participants in hostilities. Conclusions: PTSD is the result of the violence and damage caused by war and of other stressful circumstances associated with the social and financial conditions of life. Social security (health insurance, savings, material security) should be taken into account when working with people affected by PTSD

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion