Aims. To assess the effects of three-month war experience on the mental health and migratory plans of displaced persons who found shelter in Dubrovnik. Method. The study started in January 1992, when Dubrovnik hotels hosted some 18,000 displaced civilians from the city's surroundings. The study group comprised 161 married men and women with at least 8 years of education and without previous psychiatric history; their houses had been destroyed but they themselves were not physically injured. Results. 82% of the subjects showed psychosocial and psychosomatic symptoms of clinically borderline disorders. Anxiety-related disorders and somatic symptoms prevailed over depressive tendencies. The incidence of psychological problems increased with age. 93% of the subjects intended to remain in the area until it was possible to return home, 4% would have temporarily moved to a safer zone and 3% planned to migrate permanently. Although aware that their former safe and dependable world was completely undermined, the displaced persons mobilized their emotional resources in different ways, accompanied by anxiety. Conclusion. The considerable life energy of the displaced persons should be taken into account when planning support after their return home.

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battle injury refugee mental health sex difference human controlled study anxiety neurosis Yugoslavia male female questionnaire Incidence Article major clinical study adult migration age psychosomatic disorder psychotrauma