Skip to main content
The Danish Center of Psychotraumatology

Search

Dansk
Menu

War

Below you can get an overview of the publications related to the research area 'war'. The publications on this page are categorised into 'veterans' and 'refugees and civilian victims of war'. You can view the publications by clicking on the year.

Below you can get an overview of our publications related to the research area 'war'. You can view the publications by clicking on the year.

War - refugees and civilian victims of war

  1. Ferrajão, P., Frias, F., & Elklit, A. (2024). Exploring Independent and Cumulative Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences on PTSD and CPTSD a Study in Ugandan Adolescents. Children.  11(5). DOI: 10.3390/children11050517

  1. Karatzias, T., Shevlin, M., Ben-Ezra, M., McElroy, E., Redican, E., Vang, M. L., Cloitre, M., Ho, G. W. K., Lorberg, B., Martsenkovskyi, D., & Hyland, P. (2023). War exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder, and complex posttraumatic stress disorder among parents living in Ukraine during the Russian war. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 147(3), 276–285. Doi: 10.1111/acps.13529
  1. Vang, M.L., Jørgensen, S., Auning-Hansen, M. & Elklit, A. (2019). Testing the validity of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD among refugees in treatment using latent class analysis. Torture, 29(3), 27-45. Doi: 10.7146/torture.v29i3.115367
  1. Jørgensen, S., Auning-Hansen, M. & Elklit, A. (2017): Can disability predict treatment outcome among traumatized refugees? Torture, 27(2). Doi: 10.7146/torture.v27i2.97208
  1. Sonne, C., Carlsson, J., Bech, P., Elklit, A. & Mortensen, E. L. (2016). Treatment of trauma-affected refugees with venlafaxine versus sertraline combined with psychotherapy - a randomised study. BMC Psychiatry, 16(1). Doi: 10.1186/s12888-016-1081-5
  2. Vindbjerg, E., Carlsson, J., Mortensen, E. L., Elklit, A. & Makransky, G. (2016). The latent structure of post-traumatic stress disorder among Arabic-speaking refugees receiving psychiatric treatment in Denmark. BMC Psychiatry, 16(1), 309. Doi: 10.1186/s12888-016-0936-0
  3. Sonne, C. K., Mortensen, E. L., Carlsson, J., Bech, P., Elklit, A., & Vindbjerg, E. (2016). Psychosocial predictors of treatment outcome for trauma-affected refugees. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 7(1), 1-11. Doi: 10.3402/ejpt.v7.30907
  1. Palic, S., Carlsson, J., Armour, C. & Elklit, A. (2015). Assessment of dissociation in Bosnian treatment-seeking refugees in Denmark. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 69, 301-314. Doi: 10.3109/08039488.2014.977344
  1. Palic, S., Kappel, M.L., Nielsen, M.S., Carlsson, J., & Bech, P. (2014). Comparison of psychiatric disability on the health of nation outcome scales (HoNOS) in resettled traumatized refugee outpatients and Danish inpatients. BMC Psychiatry, 14(1). Doi: 10.1186/s12888-014-0330
  2. Palic S., Carlsson J., Armour C. & Elklit A. (2014). Assessment of dissociation in Bosnian treatmentseeking refugees in Denmark. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 69(4), 307-314. Doi : 10.3109/08039488.2014.977344
  3. Palic, S. & Elklit, A. (2014). Personality Dysfunction and Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Chronically Traumatized Bosnian Refugees. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 202(2), 111-118. Doi: 10.1097/NMD.0000000000000079
  1. Palic, S. (2013). Measurement and Documentation of Complex PTSD in Treatment Seeking Traumatized Refugees. Ph.d. afhandling, Syddansk Universitet.
  2. Sonne, C., Carlsson, J., Ekstrøm, M., Elklit, A. & Mortensen, E. L. (2013). Treatment of traumatized refugees with Sertraline versus Venlafaxine in combination with psychotherapy – a randomized clinical study. Trials, 14:137, 1-7. Doi:10.1186/1745-6215-14-137.
  1. Elklit. A., Østergård, K.K., Lasgaard, M. & Palic, S. (2012). Social Support, Coping and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Young Refugees. Torture, 22 (1), 11-23.
  1. Karstoft, K-I. (2011). Uledsagede Afghanske Flygtningebørn. Videnscenter for Psykotraumatologi
  2. Karstoft, KI. (2011). Børn uden ledsager. Psykolog Nyt 10, 20-21.
  3. Palic, S. & Elklit, A. (2011). Psychosocial Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Adult Refugees: A Systematic Review of Prospective Treatment Outcome Studies and a Critique. Journal of Affective Disorders, 131, 8-23. Doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2010.07.005
  1. Palic, S. & Elklit, A. (2010). Psychosocial treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in adult refugees: a systematic review of prospective treatment outcome studies and a critique. Journal of Affective Disorders, 131, 8-23.
  1. Palic, S., & Elklit, A. (2009). An explorative outcome study of CBT-based multidisciplinary treatment in a diverse group of refugees from a Danish treatment centre for rehabilitation of traumatized refugees. Torture, 19(3), 248-70.
  2. Schwarz-Nielsen, K. H. & Elklit, A.(2009). An evaluation of the mental status of rejected asylum seekers in two Danish asylum centers. Torture, 19 (1), 51-59.
  1. Elklit, A. (2006). Psychological Assessment and Diagnosing of Traumatized Refugees. Århus: Psykologisk Institut, Aarhus Universitet.
  1. Holmgren, H., Søndergård, H., & Elklit, A. (2003). Stress and coping in traumatized interpreters – a pilot study of refugee interpreters working for a humanitarian organization. Intervention, 1 (3), 22-27.
  2. Elklit, A. & Einarsdóttir, T. (2003). PTSD og sociale problemer hos torturerede flygtninge i Danmark. Psykolog Nyt, 57 (8), 22-25. 
  1. Stæhr, M. & Elklit, A. (2001). Psykoedukation – en effektundersøgelse af et program for flygtningebørn. København: Dansk Røde Kors og Psykologisk Institut, Aarhus Universitet.
  2. Elklit, A. (2001). Psykoedukation med flygtninge. Psykologisk Pædagogisk Rådgivning, 38, (5), 349-364.
  3. Elklit, A. (2001). Psykoedukation med flygtninge – en ny arbejdsform. Psykologisk Pædagogisk Rådgivning, 38, (5), 327-329. 
  4. Elklit, A. (2001). Psykoedukation – 5 aktørgruppers evaluering af et program til forebyggelse af alvorlige psykiske skader hos børn og unge fra Kosovo. Psykologisk Pædagogisk Rådgivning, 38 (5), 365-390.
  5. Elklit, A. (2001). Psychoeducation with refugee children. Torture, 11, (3), 68-74.

  6. Abdalla, K & Elklit, A. (2001). En landsdækkende screeningundersøgelse af flygtningebørn fra Kosovo. Psykologisk Pædagogisk Rådgivning, 38, (5), 339-348.

  1. Elklit, A., Nørregaard, J. & Tibor, B. (1998). Forekomst og art af traumatiserende begivenheder hos unge bosniske flygtninge i Danmark. Ugeskrift for læger, 160 (29), 4310-4314.
  1. Elklit, A., Nørregaard, J., Tibor, B. (1997). Traumatisering hos unge bosniske flygtninge i Danmark. Psykologisk Pædagogisk Rådgivning, 34, 3-18.

War - veterans

While empirical research on understanding the risk factors and comorbidities of PTSD and complex PTSD (CPTSD) in veteran populations is growing, few studies have investigated emotion regulation (ER) difficulties and aggression in this population. This study seeks to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of PTSD and CPTSD among Danish treatment-seeking veterans. Specifically, the study aims to examine the relationship between posttraumatic symptoms, ER difficulties, and aggression in veterans, and identify potential demographic and trauma-related risk factors as set out in the World Health Organization’s ICD-11classifications.1 A sample of 142 Danish war veterans from a highly specialized trauma treatment unit participated by completing the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) and questionnaires on symptomatology, trauma experiences, and medication. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were employed to explore the predictability and explanatory power of independent variables significantly associated with posttraumatic symptoms. A total of 29.8% met the criteria of probable PTSD, while 56.0% met the criteria of probable CPTSD. Clinically relevant scores were reported in emotion dysregulation and posttraumatic symptoms, along with low levels of aggressive behavior. Notably, aspects of ER (Non-acceptance, Impulse, and Strategies), Somatization, and persistent Dissociation emerged as the strongest contributors to perceived PTSD symptoms. Similarly, ER Strategies, Somatization, and perceived lack of social support had the most significant individual impact on perceived CPTSD symptoms. This research supports existing literature indicating a higher prevalence of CPTSD than PTSD among treatment-seeking veterans, emphasizing challenges with dissociation, somatization, absence of social support, and difficulties in ER.

 

Elklit, A., & Dahl, N. H. (2025). Emotion Regulation Difficulties, Aggression, and PTSD Symptoms in Danish Treatment-seeking Veterans. Poster Session. 

Elklit, A., & Dahl, N. H. (2025). Emotion Regulation Difficulties, Aggression, and PTSD Symptoms in Danish Treatmentseeking Veterans. Scandinavian Journal of Military Studies. Doi: https://doi.org/10.31374/sjms.264 

 

 

Trauma and personality disorders in Danish treatment-seeking veterans

50.000 Danish soldiers have been deployed abroad during the last three decades. A recent study reported that 24 % were registered with either a psychiatric diagnosis or receiving psychotropic medication. We want 1) to explore the relationship between ICD-11 PTSD and complex PTSD (CPTSD), and severe personality pathology as well as clinical syndromes, and 2) to assess the mediating impact of social support, secondary trauma symptoms, and aggression for the two trauma diagnoses. The findings show that while less than half of the personality disorders and the clinical syndromes were associated with PTSD, almost all personality disorders and all the clinical syndromes were associated with CPTSD and to a much higher degree. 52 % of the variation of PTSD could be explained in the regression analysis with three significant factors in the final model: Anxiety, schizotypal personality disorder, and dissociation. In the similar analysis for CPTSD, 61 % of the variation was explained in the final model with Avoidant personality disorder and Negative Affectivity as significant factors. Social support and aggression were not significant predictors in either analysis

 

You can access the study here: 

  1. A. F. Elrond., A. B. Nielsen., B- W. Schmidt., K. Eskelund., L. Nissen., M. S. Ved-tofte., R. H. Haugbølle., S. B. Andersen., & A. Elklit (2021). Introduction and sum-maries of findings in: Comprehensive study to develop a PTSD framework. The Danish Veterans Centre & Centre for Psycho Traumatology.
  2. A. F. Elrond., A. B. Nielsen., B- W. Schmidt., K. Eskelund., L. Nissen., M. S. Ved-tofte., R. H. Haugbølle., S. B. Andersen., & A. Elklit (2021). Gender perspectives in: Comprehensive study to develop a PTSD framework. The Danish Veterans Centre & Centre for Psycho Traumatology
  3. A. F. Elrond., A. B. Nielsen., B- W. Schmidt., K. Eskelund., L. Nissen., M. S. Ved-tofte., R. H. Haugbølle., S. B. Andersen., & A. Elklit (2021). Best Practices for prevention and mitigation in: Comprehensive study to develop a PTSD framework. The Danish Veterans Centre & Centre for Psycho Traumatology
  1. León, B.P., Andersen, S.B., Karstoft, K-I., & Elklit, A. (2018). Sensation Seeking as a Predictor of Psychopathology in Danish Soldiers Deployed to Afghanistan. Military Psychology, 30(5), 381-389. Doi: 10.1080/08995605.2018.1478544
  2. León, B. P., Andersen, S. B., Karstoft, K-I., & Elklit, A. (2018): Pre-deployment Dissociation and Personality as Risk Factors for Post-deployment Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Danish Soldiers Deployed to Afghanistan. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 9(1). Doi: 10.1080/20008198.2018.1443672
  1. Amone-P’Olak, K., Dokkedahl, S. & Elklit, A.(2017): Post-traumatic Stress Disorder among child perpetrators and victims of violence from the Northern Uganda civil war: Findings from the WAYS study. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 27(3), 235-242. Doi: 10.1080/14330237.2017.1321849
  2. Murphy, S., Elklit, A., Dokkedahl, S. B., & Shevlin, M. (2017). Anger, Guilt and Shame as Mediators in the Relationship Between war Experiences and PTSD: Testing the Moderating Role of Child Soldier Status. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 10(4), 323-331. Doi: 10.1007/s40653-016-0124

 

  1. Murphy, S., Elklit, A., Dokkedahl, S. & Shevlin, M. (2016). Anger, Guilt and Shame as Mediators in the Relationship Between war Experiences and PTSD: Testing the Moderating Role of Child Soldier Status. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 10, 323-331. Doi: 10.1007/s40653-016-0124-x
  1. Karstoft, K.-I, Armour, C., Andersen, S. B., Bertelsen, M. & Madsen, T. (2015). Community integration after deployment to afghanistan: A longitudinal investigation of danish soldiers. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 50(4), 653-660. doi:10.1007/s00127-014-0973-2
  1. Andersen, S. B., Karstoft, K.-I, Bertelsen, M. & Madsen, T. (2014). Latent trajectories of trauma symptoms and resilience: The 3-year longitudinal prospective USPER study of danish veterans deployed in afghanistan. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 75(9), 1001-1008. doi:10.4088/JCP.13m08914
  2. Karstoft, K.-I, Andersen, S. B., Bertelsen, M. & Madsen, T. (2014). Diagnostic accuracy of the posttraumatic stress disorder checklist: Civilian version in a representative military sample. Psychological Assessment, 26(1), 321-325. doi:10.1037/a0034889
  3. Madsen, T., Karstoft, K.-I, Bertelsen, M. & Andersen, S. B. (2014). Postdeployment suicidal ideations and trajectories of posttraumatic stress disorder in danish soldiers: A 3-year follow-up of the USPER study. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 75(9), 994-1000. doi:10.4088/JCP.13m08910
  1. Karstoft, K-I. & Elklit, A. (2013). Spilbaseret behandling af veteraner med PTSD - en manual til individuel kognitiv behandling med spilbaseret eksponering. Odense: Center for Psykotraumatologi, Syddansk Universitet. Pp. 1-24.
  2. Karstoft, K.-I., Armour, C., Elklit, A. & Solomon, Z. (2013): Long-term trajectories of PTSD in veterans: the role of social resources. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 74(12):e1163–e1168. Doi: 10.4088/JCP.13.m084822013
  1. Dekel, R., Solomon, Z., Elklit, A., Ginsburg, K. (2004). World Assumptions and Combat-Related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Journal of Social Psychology, 144 (4), 407-420. Doi: 10.3200/SOCP.144.4.407-420
  1. Elklit, A. (1998). UN-soldiers serving in peacekeeping missions. A review of the psychological aftereffects. International Review of the Armed Forces Medical Servicies, 71, (7/8/9), 197-208.
  1. Knudsen, H., Elklit, A. (1996). Danske FN-soldater i Kroatien. Psykolog Nyt, 50 (4), 3-6.
  1. Elklit, A., Knudsen, H. (1995). Danske FN-soldater i fredsbevarende mission - belastninger og efterreaktioner. Psykologisk Skriftserie, 20, (5), 1-114.

 

Last Updated 06.07.2023