Qualitative and psychometric research of refugees and traumatised subjects in Belgrade

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At the end of the 20th century, the collapse of the communist system and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia led to several wars, resulting in tens of thousands of innocent victims and hundreds of thousands of refugees. This turmoil was accompanied by a rise in various socio-pathological issues, including crime, drug abuse, alcoholism, divorces, and suicides, reflecting deep social anomalies. This study aims to assess the long-term mental effects of these social crises on refugees, who are among the most affected groups in the unstable Western Balkan region. Focusing on the subjective, often overlooked impacts of forced displacement as a complex, enduring trauma, the research employs a scientifically valid and objective approach. Opalic's work is the first to examine the severe traumas and challenging psychosocial situations faced by refugees in Serbia. Utilizing various qualitative and psychometric methods, the study investigates the influence of trauma—particularly physical trauma—on individual psychological integrity. This includes dream analysis, PTSD assessments, personality inventories, and family coherence tests. The findings are further illustrated through fourteen life stories of the refugees studied, providing a deeper understanding of their experiences.