These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Psychological status of Sarajevo children after war: 1999-2000 survey.
    Author: Baràth A.
    Journal: Croat Med J; 2002 Apr; 43(2):213-20. PubMed ID: 11885050.
    Abstract:
    AIM: To make a survey of children's health and psychosocial needs after the 1992-1995 war in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. METHODS: Representative samples of school-age children (n=310) from 6 public schools in the Sarajevo Canton, their parents (n=280), and teachers (n=156) were surveyed by means of self-administered questionnaires and standardized psychometric scale (Ryan-Wengers Schoolagers Coping Strategies Inventory). The survey was conducted in October-November 1999, approximately four years after the war. RESULTS: At the time of survey, well-being of children in Sarajevo was still heavily impacted by many various unhealthy life conditions and psychosocial stressors. Many school-age children lived in unhealthy and dangerous environment, including overcrowded living conditions (40%), unsafe playgrounds (68%), and no access to sports fields (52%). Most felt unsafe on streets (74%), many (73%) coped with one or more school problems, and even 84% were ill at least once during the past 12 months. General poverty was the prime stressor (common variance explained: 23.5%), followed by school- and health-related risks (common variance explained: 17.0%). At the third place were family-associated risk factors impacting children's health and development, such as overcrowded living conditions and lack of social support within their own family (common variance explained: 10.5%). Parents and teachers also lived and worked in stressful life conditions and were concerned for both their children's and their own well-being. Despite all that, most children tended to use healthy strategies in coping with stressful events in their everyday lives. CONCLUSION: The reinforcement of children with positive (healthy) coping skills and strengthening of their social support networks seems to be the most important intervention strategy to help the war-traumatized children in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]