PTSD SYMPTOMS IN BOSNIAN REFUGEES 1 YEAR AFTER RESETTLEMENT IN THE UNITED-STATES

Objective: The authors' goal was to describe the characteristics of po sttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms on resettlement in the Uni ted States and at 1-year follow-up among Bosnian refugees as well as p ossible factors affecting the PTSD symptom profile among these refugee s. Method: They used standardized instruments to assess 34 Bosnian ref ugees for PTSD at resettlement in the United States and 1 year later. Results: Fifteen of the refugees were diagnosed with PTSD at 1-year fo llow-up, compared with 25 at initial assessment. The average PTSD seve rity score at follow-up was 12.5, compared with 20.6 at initial assess ment. At 1-year follow-up, 25 of the refugees experienced a decrease i n severity of PTSD symptoms, one remained the same, and eight experien ced an increase in severity. Older refugees were significantly more li kely to have PTSD than younger refugees, and older refugees had more s evere symptoms. Conclusions: The level of PTSD diagnosis and symptoms in Bosnian refugees remained substantial 1 year after their resettleme nt in the United States, although there were notable overall decreases . Older refugees appeared to be at greater risk.