PURPOSE: The current study examined the prevalence and correlates of somatic distress (SD) in the aftermath of war, and the role of a process hypothesized to contribute to posttraumatic stress: experiential avoidance. METHODS: Civilian war survivors (n = 163) from Kosovo were assessed in structured interviews, reporting on average more than ten types of traumatic war exposure. RESULTS: One in eight (12.9%) of the participants meet criteria for SD, which was associated with greater psychological distress, experiential avoidance, and lower quality of life after accounting for the effects of war-related variables, demographic variables, as well as posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive episode. Experiential avoidance partially mediated the association between SD and psychological distress and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that SD is prevalent among war-exposed civilians and that experiential avoidance may be a significant factor in understanding and treating traumatized people who are experiencing SD.
PURPOSE: The current study examined the prevalence and correlates of somatic distress (SD) in the aftermath of war, and the role of a process hypothesized to contribute to posttraumatic stress: experiential avoidance. METHODS: Civilian war survivors (n = 163) from Kosovo were assessed in structured interviews, reporting on average more than ten types of traumatic war exposure. RESULTS: One in eight (12.9%) of the participants meet criteria for SD, which was associated with greater psychological distress, experiential avoidance, and lower quality of life after accounting for the effects of war-related variables, demographic variables, as well as posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive episode. Experiential avoidance partially mediated the association between SD and psychological distress and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that SD is prevalent among war-exposed civilians and that experiential avoidance may be a significant factor in understanding and treating traumatized people who are experiencing SD.
Authors: Javier I Escobar; Michael A Gara; Angelica M Diaz-Martinez; Alejandro Interian; Melissa Warman; Lesley A Allen; Robert L Woolfolk; Eric Jahn; Denise Rodgers Journal: Ann Fam Med Date: 2007 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 5.166
Authors: Deborah L Snell; Richard J Siegert; Lois J Surgenor; Jennifer A Dunn; Gary J Hooper Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2015-06-12 Impact factor: 4.147