Iranian Journal of War and Public Health
Year:2015 | Volume:7 | Issue:4|Papers Count:10

Aims Over the years of imposed war, veterans’ families, and especially their wives, experience complications arising from it, in such a case that their life has been associated with spiritual and mental damages. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on flexibility in spouses of veterans.Materials & Methods In this quasi-experimental study, 34 spouses of veterans, referred to Shahed Counseling Centers in Isfahan during winter and spring 2015, were selected via Available Sampling Method, and through Random Sampling Method, they assigned to experimental and control groups (n=17 per group). Research tool was Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II). In experimental group, there were eight 90-min treatment sessions based on acceptance (2 sessions per week). Control group did not receive any intervention. Data was analyzed in SPSS 21 software using Repeated Measure ANOVA, and Bonferroni Post-hoc test.Findings In posttest and follow up stages, there were significant differences in mean flexibility scores between control and experimental groups (p<0.01). Time did not affect the effectiveness of posttest-to-follow up stage. In addition, there was no reduction in the effects of intervention in the follow up stage compared to posttest.Conclusion Based on acceptance and commitment therapy, Group therapy method effectively enhances psychological flexibility level of the spouses of the veterans.

Aims Most of the marital problems are due to lack of any communication or problemsolving skill. Based on the conducted studies, teaching such skills, before marriage, leads to less conflicts and higher marital satisfaction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of teaching the pre-marriage skills on the communication and problem-solving skills in the daughters of the martyrs and veterans of Gilan Province.Materials & Methods In this semi-experimental pretest-posttest study with a control group, 18-25 years old daughters of martyrs and veterans of the cities of Gilan Province were studied in 2014.50 persons (from Rasht) and 30 persons (from Lahidjan) were randomly selected via Multi-step Cluster Method. The persons were randomly divided into two groups including control and experimental. Ten 90-minute pre-marriage skills training sessions were conducted in experimental group (one session per week). Communication Skills Questionnaire and Problem solving Scale were completed by the groups at the pretest and posttest stages. Data was analyzed using one-variable and multivariate covariance analysis methods.Findings At the posttest stage, there were increases in the mean scores of the communication skills of experimental group in all the sub-scales including emotion management, understanding other persons, and assertiveness (p<0.001). In the problem-solving scale, the scores of experimental group decreased in distress, avoidance, and controlling subscales, while there were increases in the scores of creativity, trust, and turning subscales (p<0.001).Conclusion It is very important to teach the communication and problem-solving skills to young persons and especially, the daughters of the martyrs and veterans before marriage to enhance the marriage quality and reduce the conflicts.

Aims Years after the end of war, the veterans are still suffereing many physical and mental problems that might considerably affect the quality of life of the veterans and their families.Based on the conducted studies, mental trainings can lead to a better quality of life in the veterans and their families. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of life skills training on the quality of life of the spouses of the veterans with mood disorders.Materials & Methods In the semi-experimental pretest-posttest study with a control group, 50 spouses of the veterans with mood disorders reffered to Sadr Psychiatric Hospital (Tehran) in 2013 were selected through Available Sampling Method and studied. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups including experiment and control groups (n=25 per group). The study tool was WHOQOL-BREF questionaire. In experiment group, there were ten 120-min weekly lifeskills training sessions. Data was analyzed in SPSS 18 software using Analysis of Covariance.Findings There were significant differences in the mean scores of Quality of Life (p=0.0001) and subscales including psychiatric health (p=0.017), social relationships health (p=0.005), and physical health (p=0.006) between the groups at the posttest stage with pretest effect control.Nevertheless, there was no significant difference in environmental health subscale (p=0.347).ConclusionLife skills training considerably enhance the quality of life of the spouses of the veterans with mood disorders.

Aims: Severe pulmonary chemically injured veterans experience more physical and environmental problems than other war victims that might lead to more difficult life conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the psychological health statuses of the severe pulmonary chemically injured veterans exposed to mustard gas.Instrument & Methods: 292 severe pulmonary chemically injured veterans from all around Iran, exposed to mustard gas, were cross-sectionally studied in Isfahan in 2015. Demographic and appearance information of the patients was recorded. Using Psychiatric Disorder Assessment Form, each veteran was assessed in 5 different axes through a semi-structured clinical interview. Data was analyzed in SPSS 22 software using Pearson correlation coefficient and Chisquare tests.Findings: 213 veterans (72.9%) were with mental disorders. Anxiety disorder was the most prevalent disorder in Axis I, with posttraumatic stress disorder (90%).123 veterans (42.1%) were with different types of depression. In Axis III, 49 veterans (16.8%) were suffering other physical illnesses affecting mental health. In Axis IV, 51 veterans (17.5%) were with a variety of environmental problems. In GAF scale, more than 90% of the veterans received 60 scores or less. There was an inverse correlation between psychiatric disorder and efficiency level (p<0.001).Conclusion: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, in severe pulmonary chemically injured veterans is higher than other veterans and is 3-5 times higher than Iranian normal population.

AimsPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be caused by a variety of stressful factors, such as presence in a war (as one of the main factors). Based on the conducted studies, persons with higher emotional intelligence are less affected by the stressful events. The aim of this study was to compare emotional intelligence in veterans with PTSD and other veterans.Instrument & Methods In this causal-comparative study, 120 veterans with PTSD, or chemical injuries, or mutilation, hospitalized in Sadr, Sassan, and Kowsar Medical Centres, as well as normal ex-soldiers, were selected through Available Sampling Method in 2009. The subjects were divided into 4 groups (n=30 per group), including PTSD, Chemical, Mutilation, and Normal. Study tools were Watson’s PTSD and Bar-On EQ questionnaires. Data was analyzed in SPSS 19 software using ANOVA and Post-hoc Tukey tests.Findings There were significant differences in all components of emotional intelligence between the groups (p=0.001). In addition, mean emotional intelligence score of PTSD group was less than other groups.Conclusion Emotional intelligence in veterans with PTSD is lower than other veterans.

Aims The main objectives of Martyrs and Veterans Foundation is to provide medical services for the martyrs and veterans’ families, high satisfaction in insurance affairs, and improve the situation of the insured persons. Then, the aim of the study was to investigate the satisfaction level of the martyrs’ families insured by the complementary insurance in receiving Para clinical Services.Instrument & Methods In the cross-sectional study, 325 martyrs’ family members, who formerly received Para-clinical Services, were selected via random sampling method in Tehran in 2015.The satisfaction level of the family members from the received services was investigated, using a researcher-made questionnaire. Data was analyzed in SPSS 22 software using Chi-square and Multivariate Regression tests.Findings The most and the least used services were laboratory (52.9%) and physiotherapy (4.7%) services, respectively. The satisfaction levels of 70-91% and 58-73% of the persons were “high” or “very high” in the received services and the location presenting the services, respectively. The satisfaction level of paying for the services was 17-40%. The most important causes of dissatisfaction were services uncovered by the insurance and long lasting or incomplete refund. There was a fully significant correlation between satisfaction in the location presenting the services and the place of residence including cities and country sides (p<0.001). Nevertheless, there was no significant correlation between other demographic items and satisfaction in the services, location of receiving the services, and refund (p>0.05). In addition, as the predictive items, the demographic items did not significantly affect the satisfaction level (p>0.05).Conclusion The satisfaction level of the martyrs’ family members receiving the complementary insurance services is relatively high in receiving Para-clinical Services. However, in the location of receiving the services and, especially, in the refund process, the satisfaction level considerably decreases.

Aims Due to the stressful war happenings, the veterans are facing with physical and mental problems, which might considerably affect their quality of life. Based on the conducted studies, spirituality and spiritual health play important roles to enhance the quality of life of the veterans. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between spiritual health and quality of life in veterans with PTSD recorded by Martyrs and Veterans Foundation of Kerman.Instrument & Methods In the descriptive-correlational study, 143 veterans with PTSD recorded by Martyrs and Veterans Foundation of Kerman were selected via random sampling in 2013. Data was collected, using Spiritual Health Questionnaire and Quality of Life Questionnaire. Data was analyzed in SPSS 18 software using Independent T, One-way ANOVA, and Pearson Correlation Coefficient tests.Findings Mean total score of the veterans’ spiritual health was 87.97±12.30.81.8% of the veterans were moderately spiritually healthy. Mean total scores of mind health and physical health of quality of life were 40.92±8.52 and 61.55±10.27, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the veterans’ spiritual health and quality of life (p<0.001, r=0.43).Conclusion There is a direct correlation between quality of life and spiritual health in veterans with PTSD recorded by Martyrs and Veterans Foundation of Kerman. In addition, the higher the spiritual health, the higher the quality of life of the veterans is.

Aims Neuro-psychiatric side effects caused by war lead to different problems affecting the veterans and their family members. Of main psychological aspects of the veterans, which are not often considered, are the quality of life, psychological health, and their conflict with job and family affairs. The aim of this study was to compare the quality of life and the work family conflict between veterans and normal persons working at the southern oil sites.Instrument & Methods In the causal-comparative study, 437 wokers of the southern oil sites, including 215 veterans and 222 normal persons, were studied in 2015. The veterans were selected via Relative Stratified Random Samling Method. The normal workers were selected considering their compliance with the veterans in job, age, and functions. Data were collected, using Quality of Life Questionnaire and Work-Family Conflict Questionnaire. Data was analyzed using one-variable ANOVA (in the MANOVA context) and Pearson Correlatio Coefficient.Findings There was no significant difference in the mean scores of quality of life and work-family conflict between the veterans and the normal peoples (p>0.05). There was a powerful negative correlation between the quality of life and work-family conflict in veterans (r=-0.42) and normal peoples (r=-0.31), as well as in all the studied persons (r=-0.35; p<0.001).Conclusion The quality of life and work-family confilict are approximately equal in the veterans and normal persons working at the southern oil sites. In addition, the persons are in a realtively good level of quality of life.