SAFETYLIT WEEKLY UPDATE

We compile citations and summaries of about 400 new articles every week.
RSS Feed

HELP: Tutorials | FAQ
CONTACT US: Contact info

Search Results

Journal Article

Citation

Amone-P'Olak K, Omech B, Kakinda AI, Kibedi H. Gen. Psychiatr. 2022; 35(5): e100840.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/gpsych-2022-100840

PMID

36447754

PMCID

PMC9660547

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has considerable and persistent effects on survivors of war, particularly in postconflict areas. Yet, evidence on what keeps survivors on the path of PTSD remains scarce. AIMS: The current study aimed to assess the prevalence and correlates of PTSD symptoms among the war-affected population in northern Uganda.

METHODS: Data from 476 war-affected youths (aged 20-27 years) who had participated in a longitudinal cohort study were analysed to describe the enduring associations of background and postwar environmental risk factors with PTSD symptoms. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised was used to evaluate symptoms of PTSD. Descriptive statistics were used to compute background and postwar environmental correlates. Binary logistic regression analyses were fitted to assess the magnitude of the effects of the correlates on PTSD symptoms.

RESULTS: Background and postwar environmental factors (eg, sexual abuse and injury in captivity) were significantly associated with PTSD symptoms. Postwar environmental factors associated with PTSD symptoms included postwar hardships, stigma/discrimination, chronic illness, community relations, family acceptance and general functioning, among others. The odds ratios (ORs) for post-war hardships were 2.41 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.63 to 3.56) and 2.90 (95% CI: 2.03 to 4.14) for high and severe PTSD, respectively. For stigma/discrimination, compared with higher scores, the ORs were 3.38 (95% CI: 2.22 to 5.17) and 4.12 (95% CI: 2.69 to 6.30) for high and severe PTSD symptoms, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Background and postwar environmental stressors exacerbate the severity of PTSD symptoms in survivors of war and should form the basis for interventions to alleviate the toxic effects of war on survivors.


Language: en

Keywords

Psychological Trauma; Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

NEW SEARCH


All SafetyLit records are available for automatic download to Zotero & Mendeley
Print