Analizing connection between risk factors in family and behavioral disturbances in children whose parents have had symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

We analyzed a group of 100 children of school age (10 -15 years) in two randomly choused schools. Those children are from complete families and their parents agreed to participate in psychometric testing. We divided those children in two groups: Experimental group (N=50)- those parents show symptoms of PTSD, and Control group (N=50) those whose parents do not show symptoms of PTSD. The assessment to PTSD symptoms and level of dramatization in parents was done with Harvard Trauma Questionnaire- Bosnia and Herzegovina version), and behavior disturbances by using Child Behavior Check List (CBCL for parents, Achenbach 1991). According to gender and participation of parents the sample was homogeneous. Data were processed with descriptive statistics.

Children of parents with PTSD symptoms show higher correlation of family size, number of children in family, (p< 0.05), the level of parents education, social and economic state of family and symptoms of behavior disturbances (p< 0.01). Regarding expression of Internalization as behavior characteristic is in higher correlation with family size (p< 0.01) and Externalization is in higher correlation with family size, socio- economic state of family and education of parents (p< 0.05).

Children whose parents have symptoms of PTSD show significantly higher correlation of risk factors in family and behavior problems. The highest correlation is associated with family size, number of children in family, education of parents and economic circumstances.