[Quality of life and coping strategies caharacteristics within war torture survivors].

AIM The aim of this research is evaluation of the life quality and the coping strategies of the war torture survivors, which were included in the multidisciplinary rehabilitation program in the Center for torture victims in Sarajevo. METHOD The research is analytical-descriptive and retrospective. In the study we used the sample consisting of 48 persons who survived the war torture. Two instruments were used in the research: for the evaluation of the life quality we used the Manchester Quality of Life Scale (MANSA), and the other instrument is the reviewed (according to Ljubotina) original Lazarus-Folkman Coping Scale. RESULTS The results related to the life quality are showing that evaluating satisfaction with life as a whole where the largest score in the total sample is achieved by the answer "both satisfied and unsatisfied". The results show a high score of discontent with financial situation, and a prevailing satisfaction with accommodation. Significant data are related to prevailing satisfaction with life within the family. The examinees, largely males, showed "mostly unsatisfied" with their somatic health, while the situation with evaluation of the mental health with both genders and in total sample was estimated as "mostly unsatisfied" and as "both satisfied and unsatisfied". The results that emerged from applying the Coping Scale show that in the total sample, especially more expressed in females, social support is used as a coping strategy in post trauma conditions. The lowest score is achieved in the subscale of avoidance/escape. DISCUSSION Results of this study related to quality of life characteristics within war torture survivors indicates moderate satisfaction with life generally, and emphasizes lower satisfaction with their financial situation. It is very important to be stressed out high level of satisfaction with relationship with family members. According to the results of the study it is clear that difficult socioeconomic conditions in post war period significantly influence satisfaction with life in general, and impact of such conditions on somatic and mental health of war torture survivors. Results obtained at Coping scale shows the most frequent coping strategies employed by torture survivors in post war circumstances is asking for social support, especially within female part of sample, which is usual in such conditions. It is obvious that adaptive coping strategies are employed more than non adaptive ones which represent positive and expected treatment outcome. Negative correlation between coping by avoidance and some items at Quality of life scale indicates that as more persons avoid coping with currant difficulties in post war conditions less they have possibilities that using their current resources improve quality of life. At the other hand, positive correlation of some items at Quality of life scale and Distance subscale at Coping scale represent torture survivors currant strength to be engaged in some useful activities, distancing them self's from actual stressors, which is expressed at Quality of life scale results. CONCLUSIONS According to the results of this study it could be concluded that torture survivors after completed multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment express: * Moderate satisfaction with the life generally, especially in the fields of life which are not directly connected with complex circumstances of the posttraumatic environment. * Clear need for longer duration of multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment regarding the results which are related to satisfaction with physical and mental health. * Using more adaptive coping strategies than those directed to emotions, indicated increased relying upon own resources. * The obtained results could be used as the outcome measure after six months duration of multidisciplinary treatment.