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BMC Psychiatry

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Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research article

Health care utilization, somatic and mental health distress, and well-being among widowed and non-widowed female survivors of war

Authors: Nexhmedin Morina, Paul M G Emmelkamp

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2012

Abstract

Background

The aim of the study was to assess levels of somatic and mental health distress, well-being, AS WELL AS utilization of primary and specialist health care services among war-related widowed and non-widowed female civilian survivors of war.

Methods

100 war-related widowed lone mothers and 106 non-widowed mothers who had experienced the Kosovo war ten years previously participated in the study. Measures of somatic, depressive, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and grief complaints, subjective well-being, and utilization of health care services during the previous three months were used.

Results

Compared to non-widowed mothers, widowed lone mothers reported significantly higher levels of somatic, depressive, post-traumatic stress, and anxiety complaints. Further, they reported significantly lower levels of subjective well-being as composed of positive and negative affect and satisfaction with life. More than half of both widowed and non-widowed mothers reported utilization of health care services during the last three months, without significant differences between the groups. However, only three percent of widowed lone mothers and four percent of non-bereaved mothers reported utilization of mental health services during the last three months, despite high levels of mental health distress especially among widowed lone mothers. Among widowed lone mothers, severity of prolonged grief symptoms significantly predicted number of contacts of specialist health care use over and above sociodemographic variables, number of war-related events, and other psychopathology.

Conclusion

War-related widowed lone mothers suffer from elevated somatic and mental distress even a decade after the war. The tiny proportion of widowed lone mothers in use of mental health services can be seen as a reflection of lack of previous and current mental health services to meet mental health needs of this population.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-244X/12/39/prepub

Title: Health care utilization, somatic and mental health distress, and well-being among widowed and non-widowed female survivors of war
Authors: Nexhmedin Morina
Paul M G Emmelkamp
Publication date: 01-12-2012
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-12-39

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Health care utilization, somatic and mental health distress, and well-being among widowed and non-widowed female survivors of war

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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