Longitudinal study of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and changes in traumatic memories over time in Bosnian refugees

J Nerv Ment Dis. 2007 Jul;195(7):572-9. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0b013e318093ed2c.

Abstract

This longitudinal study examined traumatic memory consistency over a 3-year period among a sample of highly traumatized Bosnian refugees, focusing on demographic factors, types of trauma, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. In 1996 and 1999, 376 Bosnian refugees were interviewed about 54 wartime trauma and torture events, and symptoms of PTSD and depression. Reports were compared for both time periods, and changed responses were analyzed for significance. Overall, there was consistency in reporting over time; when change occurred it was in the direction of decreased reports at follow-up. This downward trend was not associated with any particular diagnosis. However, PTSD alone, without comorbid symptoms of depression, was uniquely associated with the group that exhibited an upward trend. This implies that increased reporting is related specifically to the presence of PTSD symptoms, and that PTSD may be distinctly associated with the failed extinction of traumatic memories.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina / ethnology
  • Comorbidity
  • Croatia / epidemiology
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Depressive Disorder / epidemiology
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Life Change Events*
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Memory*
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychometrics
  • Refugees / psychology*
  • Refugees / statistics & numerical data
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • Time Factors
  • Torture / psychology
  • Torture / statistics & numerical data
  • White People / psychology
  • White People / statistics & numerical data