Assess the use of mind-body interventions to improve PTSD symptoms in adolescents exposed to war trauma in post-conflict communities in Bosnia & Hercegovina. Público
Smajic, Aida (Fall 2021)
Abstract
An exposure to unexpected extreme traumatic events can lead to Posttraumatic-stress disorder (PTSD) in up to 10 – 40% of war survivors (Sareen, 2014). Evidence suggests that PTSD symptoms and psychological distress can persist far beyond the years of experiencing the occurrence exposure (Hasanovic et al., 2008). During the war from 1992-1995 in Bosnia & Hercegovina, civilians experienced ongoing life-threatening events and trauma with a high risk of developing PTSD under such conditions. The war had an enormous mental health impact and psychological consequences on Bosnian civilians from exposure to long-term and multiple severe traumatic experiences (Ringdal & Ringdal, 2016). According to the World Health Organization, 10%-50% of Bosnia's population, or 400,000 people, have been diagnosed with PTSD (Milic, 2011). However, internal organizations supporting citizens with PTSD argue that number is closer to 1.7 million. Still, due to stigmatization, lack of awareness of symptoms, and education surrounding this mental illness, the prevalence may be higher than the 400,000 diagnosed, given the higher estimate of suspected cases.
Bosnia & Hercegovina (BiH) is still coming out of post-conflict conditions, driven by widespread political corruption and economic stagnation, which have a further negative impact on mental health beyond the influence of cumulative trauma exposure from the war (Comtesse et al., 2019). Untreated PTSD after exposure to severe trauma during the Bosnian war that lasted from 1992-1995, and post-war conditions, might perpetuate psychological consequences and high rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Bosnian civilians (Ringdal & Ringdal, 2016). In a country where access to mental health care is limited and PTSD highly stigmatized, it is prudent and humane to seek innovative public health interventions to improve mental health outcomes and quality of life for Bosnian citizens by providing broader access to promising alternative treatment options. While the use of mind-body interventions to treat PTSD is receiving increasing attention in clinical trials involving war veterans in the US, to date, no research has been performed on Bosnian adolescents exposed to war trauma using alternative methods to treat PTSD symptoms (Hilton et al., 2017).
Table of Contents
Chapter I: Introduction 1
Problem Statement 2
Purpose Statement 2
Significance Statement 3
Definition of Terms 5
Chapter II: Review of the Literature 7
Chapter III: Methodology 25
Funding Agency: U.S. Embassy in Bosnia & Herzegovina BOLD Small Commission 25
Grant Announcement 26
The Grant Review Process 27
Grant Proposal Reviewers 27
Chapter IV: Incorporation of Reviewer Comments 35
Chapter V: Bold Initiatives Commission Small Grants Program Proposal 40
1. Basic information about the Grant Proposal 40
2. Elevator Pitch 40
3. Definition of Situation 41
4. Project Goals & Objectives 43
5. Description of Project Activities 44
6. Anticipated Outputs 47
7. Plan for Engagement 47
8. Activity Location 48
9. Project Beneficiaries 48
10. Project Schedule & Timeline 49
11. Monitoring & Evaluation 49
12. Previous U.S. Government Funding 49
13. Detailed Budget 49
14. Budget Narrative 50
Table 1: Interview Guide 51
Table 2: Project Schedule & Timeline 52
Table 3: Detailed Budget 53
References 54
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