Abstract
We aimed to assess, in socio-cultural context, the level of hatred and revenge in war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The sampling frame consisted of 215 Kosova War veterans, randomly selected. The Harvard Trauma Questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of PTSD and Manchester Short Assessment of Life was used to assess social satisfactions. The participants were asked to declare the strength of feelings of hatred and revenge in the four preceding weeks by using four items scale: not at all, a little bit/sometimes, a lot and extremely. Willingness for action of veterans was assessed using three item scale: yes, no or maybe. A probability level of 0.05 was adopted to be considered as statistically significant for differences among groups. DSM-IV-TR criteria for PTSD (very similar to DSM-V) were met by 52.6% of veterans; the data have confirmed existence of thoughts and fantasies of revenge against opposing forces by 42.8% veterans; at the same level 42.8% manifested feelings of hatred. Fantasies of taking revenge a lot was recorded by 19.5% and extremely by 1.4% of veterans, while hateful thoughts at level a lot were likely expressed by 22.3% and extreme by 2.8% of veterans. It is important to note that 84.7% were confident to act based on their beliefs. Social-economic and cultural factors have played major role in the understanding of psychological problems of traumatized individuals with a direct impact on their ability to function socially. This study has confirmed the urgent need for the establishment of psychological rehabilitation programs as well as programs for the social and economic rehabilitation of War Veterans.
Highlights
During the war in Kosovo (January 1998 June 1999), over 18,000 people were killed, over 12,000 of them were civilians, and over 3900 were recorded as missing
DSM-IV-TR criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were met by 52.6%, criteria for PTSD in comorbidity with Major Depressive Disorder were met by 32.6%, and criteria for Major Depressive Disorder were met by 35.8% of subjects
The obtained data showed the existence of thoughts and fantasies of revenge against opponents resulted at 42.8% veterans; at the same level 42.8% manifested feelings of hatred
Summary
During the war in Kosovo (January 1998 June 1999), over 18,000 people were killed, over 12,000 of them were civilians, and over 3900 were recorded as missing. The largest number of murders and massacres occurred in the period of March - June 1999. During this period, 25 to 35 in 10,000 inhabitants were killed and massacred. A survey in 2006 with the Kosovo civilian population identified a high prevalence of PTSD 22.6%, associated with a high prevalence of Depressive Disorder 43.1%, and emotional distress 43.9%.3. Compared to Cordozo,[4] Wenzel survey of 2006 reports a lower level of hatred and lower level of feelings of revenge and desires to act on them. In Cordozo survey, level of hatred has been reported at 60%, while feelings of revenge and desire to act on them were reported at 43%.4
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