STRESS DISORDERS OF FAMILIES OF THE DISAPPEARED - A CONTROLLED-STUDY IN HONDURAS

The effect of forced disappearance on the physical and psychological h ealth of family members was assessed by interviews carried out in Hond uras. Families of the disappeared were compared with two control group s: (1) families who lost a member due to accident or illness; and (2) families where no one had died within the past 10 years. Constellation s of stress-related symptoms commonly seen in post-traumatic stress di sorder and other anxiety disorders were approx. 2 times more prevalent in families of the disappeared as compared to the other two groups, i ndicating that families of the disappeared suffer over and above that due to normal grieving. It is suggested that the atmosphere of fear an d isolation experienced by families of the disappeared is a causative factor in the prolongation of stress-related disorders years after the traumatic event.