Study of long-term clinical and social outcomes after war experiences in ex-Yugoslavia – methods of the 'CONNECT' project
Year: 2004
Type: article
Study design: Study Protocol
Abstract: Background: The CONNECT study investigates long-term clinical and social outcomes of people with war experience in countries of Ex-Yugoslavia and in refugees in Western Europe, and aims to identify the impact of social and health care interventions on these outcomes.Objective: To describe the rationale and methods of the CONNECT study (full title: Components, organization, costs and outcomes of health care and social interventions for people with posttraumatic stress following war and conflict in the Balkans).Method: Description of the study protocol as developed in collaboration of eight centres in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Serbia and Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and FYR Macedonia.Results: In each country, a survey will be conducted in community populations with a high risk to have experienced potentially traumatic events (N=640 in each country in Ex-Yugoslavia and 250 in each Western European country).Current social and clinical characteristics will be obtained, and social and health care interventions received in the past will be assessed.Moreover, a total sample of 900 people with persistent symptoms of posttraumatic stress will be identified and followed-up over a one year period.Discussion: This large scale project aims to provide evidence on the relative impact of social and health care interventions on long-term sequelae of war related traumatic events, and puts particular emphasis on people with persistent symptoms of posttraumatic stress.The results should help to develop models to predict long-term service needs in future populations that experience traumatic events and either take refuge in other countries or stay in the area of conflict.
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2181454814