Psychosocial assistance project decreases posttraumatic stress disorder and depression amongst primary and secondary schools students in post-war Bosnia-Herzegovina

Abstract

Objective: To estimate whether psychosocial support of the School Project UHD "Prijateljice-Friends" positively affect on reducing of posttraumatic consequences in Bosnia-Herzegovina primary and secondary school students, after the war period 1992-1995. Subjects and Methods: The stratified sample of 336 students, aged of 13.6 +/- 1.9, in primary and secondary schools, involved in psychosocial support, compared with 72 randomly selected peers from the same schools, not involved in this project. Data were collected in December 2005 and in May 2006. The Children Depression Inventory and Index of Children Post-traumatic Reactions were utilized. Statistical analysis involved McNemar's test, Students' t test, Chi-square test and Pearsons' correlation test. Results: According to DSM, the prevalence of PTSD and depression among students involved in the School Project, significantly reduced from (46.1 to 13.4%; 25.6 to 1.8%, respectively) (McNemar's test, p<0.001; p<0.001, respectively). In the control group the prevalence of PTSP and depression reduced from (30.5 to 23.6%; 22.2 to 11.1%, respectively), with no significancy (McNemar's test, P = 0.332; P = 0.077, significantly). Girls had significantly higher prevalence of both PTSD and depression compared to the boys. Age, number of traumatic episodes, and suicidal behavior correlated with the intensity of PTSD symptoms and depression symptoms. Conclusions: Psychosocial support within the School Project resulted with significant reduction of PTSP and depression amongst involved students compared to controls. Schools and other institutions ought to envisage as many as possible projects to be implemented in schools and out-of-schools in order to assist youth to easier overcome consequences of no favorable war in their development.