Long-term psychological consequences of multiple war-related loss among women survivors of Srebrenica and other Eastern Bosnia regions: a qualitative focus group study
AI Summary
Persistent traumatic grief, chronic psychological distress, and somatic symptoms persist three decades after war among women survivors of Srebrenica and Eastern Bosnia.
Institutional neglect, systemic failures, stigma, and limited mental health access constitute major obstacles to recovery for bereaved women.
Culturally embedded relational supports, including NGOs, groups, family, spirituality, and meaning making, are crucial; sustained, survivor-centred, trauma-informed services are needed.
Background: More than three decades after the Bosnian war (1992-1995), its psychological consequences persist. While early post-war mental health outcomes have been extensively studied, little is known about the long-term psychological experiences of women who lost multiple family members.Objective: This study aimed to explore the current mental health status and lived psychological consequences of women from Srebrenica and surrounding regions who experienced multiple war-related losses.Methods: Two focus group discussions were conducted with 25 women. Audio-recorded data were transcribed, translated, and analysed using qualitative content analysis to identify central themes and subthemes.Results: Five overarching themes emerged: (1) enduring war trauma, loss, and emotional consequences; (2) justice, institutional responses, and systemic failures; (3) stigma and barriers to mental health care; (4) personal and everyday coping strategies; and (5) external support systems. Participants described persistent traumatic grief, chronic psychological distress, and ongoing somatic and emotional symptoms three decades after the conflict. Narratives revealed diverse coping strategies rooted in meaning-making, work, family, spirituality, and peer support. Institutional neglect, stigma, and limited access to mental health care were identified as major obstacles to recovery, whereas NGO-based and group-based interventions were experienced as particularly valuable.Conclusions: Thirty years after the Bosnian war, women survivors from Srebrenica and surrounding regions continue to live with profound and enduring psychological consequences of trauma and loss. Their narratives highlight the long-term nature of war-related suffering, the central role of social and institutional context, and the importance of culturally embedded, relational forms of support. These findings underscore the need for sustained, survivor-centered, and trauma-informed mental health services in post-conflict settings and contribute to a deeper understanding of long-term female survivor consequences following mass violence.
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