Travelers between cultures: The war and post-war generations

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Public Health

Background:

• The Yugoslav Wars significantly impacted individuals and societies, with long-term psychological effects potentially spanning generations.
• Understanding intergenerational impacts of war trauma is crucial for mental health support and resilience research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the psychological impact and resilience of the first generation (G1) with direct war experience and the second generation (G2) born after the Yugoslav Wars.
• To assess differences in adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), traumatic stress, and mental health service utilization between G1 and G2.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study involving 89 participants from the first generation (G1) and 30 from the second generation (G2) residing in the Czech Republic.
• Utilized a structured interview (91 questions) and quantitative measures including the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), ACEs questionnaire, and Centrality of Event Scale (CES).

Main Results:

• The first generation (G1) reported a significantly higher mean score for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) compared to the second generation (G2).
• No significant differences were found between G1 and G2 in centrality of the event, trauma symptom severity, psychiatric care use, psychiatric hospitalizations, diagnosed PTSD, current psychiatric medication use, or illicit drug use.
• Indicators of resilience, such as international mobility and sufficient income, were observed in both generations.

Conclusions:

• Despite higher ACEs in the war-experienced generation, both generations exhibit comparable levels of trauma severity and resilience.
• The findings suggest successful adaptation and coping mechanisms in individuals exposed to war and their offspring, with mental health profiles similar to the general population.