Spiritual needs of PTSD patients in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina: A quantitative pilot study.

Abstract

As a result of the wars in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, many people have been affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Considering that religion plays an important role in both of these countries and that religiosity/spirituality can be a positive coping resource, we were interested in investigating the spiritual needs of PTSD patients in these countries. Also, we aimed to compare the spiritual needs of war veterans and civilians with PTSD. In this cross-sectional study, 120 questionnaires were distributed to civilians and veterans with PTSD at one university hospital in Croatia and in Bosnia-Herzegovina, respectively (response rate: 52.2%). The sample ranged in age from 35-61 years (average age: 49±1 years) and was mostly male (77.8%). The Spiritual Needs Questionnaire (SpNQ 2.1) was used. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS. Two-thirds of participants identified themselves as religious and exhibited a variety of spiritual needs. The intensity of spiritual needs (i.e., Religious Needs, Existential Needs, Inner Peace Needs, Giving / Generativity Needs; but also Social Support needs) did not significantly differ between veterans and civilians. PTSD patients who identified themselves as non-religious had significantly lower Religious Needs and Existential Needs; there was also a trend to lower Inner Peace Needs. Regardless of religious identity, PTSD patients in our study expressed several psychosocial, existential and spiritual needs. A holistic approach to treatment of these patients, which includes psychosocial and spiritual aspects, appears meaningful.