Cognitive functioning is in a negative correlation with severity of traumatic experiences, with severity of symptoms of PTSD, depressiveness and anxiety of war veterans in Bosnia and Herzegovina after the 1992-1995 war

Authors

  • Nerminka Aljukic

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5457/ams.v50i1-2.538

Keywords:

War Veterans, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Traumatic Experiences, PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Cognitive Functioning

Abstract

Objective

The objective was to examine correlations between a level of cognitive functioning and severity of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression symptoms and anxiety symptoms.

Subjects and Methods 

PTSD presence was tested on 104 war veterans together with depression and anxiety symptoms and a level of cognitive functioning.  We applied Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) to access traumatic experiences and intensity of PTSD symptoms and Hopkins Symptom Scale (SBCL 25) for depression and anxiety severity while Mini mental status (MMSE) was applied for aggravated cognitive functioning. 

Results

The average age of tested war veterans was 50,6 years (standard deviation -SD = 5,2 years). Cognitive functioning level was in a negative correlation with traumatic experiences severity (Pearson's r = -0,310, p = 0,001), with the intensity of PTSD symptoms and the intensity of depression and anxiety symptoms (Pearson's r = -0,649, p <0.001; r = -0,606, p <0.001, r = -0,566, p <0,001, respectively).

Conclusion

Severity of traumatic experiences, severity of PTSD symptoms as well as the severity of depression and anxiety symptoms decreased cognitive functioning of war veterans seventeen years after the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Downloads

Published

2021-11-11

Issue

Vol. 50 No. 1-2 (2020)

Section

Original papers

License

Copyright transfer

The listed authors warrant that they are the authors and sole owners of the submitted manuscript. The authors also warrant that the work is original; that it has not been previously published in print or electronic format and is not under consideration by another publisher or electronic medium; that it has not been previously transferred, assigned, or otherwise encumbered; and that the authors have full power to grant such rights. With respect to the results of this work, the manuscript of this or substantially similar content will not be submitted to any other journal until the review process in the Acta Medica Salinianana has been officially completed (acceptance or rejection of the manuscript). The paper will not be withdrawn from the review process by the Acta Medica Saliniana Editorial Board until the review process is completed. The authors will comply with the requests of the Acta Medica Saliniana Editors and reviewers to improve the paper for publication. The eventual disagreements will be submitted in a written form; the authors are aware that the disagreement(s) with the Acta Medica Saliniana requests may result in the rejection of the manuscript. The authors hereby grant to the Acta Medica Saliniana the right to edit, revise, abridge, and condense the manuscript. If the manuscript is accepted for publication in the Acta Medica Saliniana, the authors hereby transfer the copyright of the paper to the Acta Medica Saliniana. The authors permit the Acta Medica Saliniana to allow third parties to copy any part of the journal without asking for permission, provided that the reference to the source is given. For papers with more than one author: All other co-authors agree to allow the corresponding author to make decisions regarding prepublication release of the information in the paper to the media, federal agencies, or both.