Damir Ljubotina
University of Zagreb, Department of Psychology
Croatia

Community, from destruction to social reconstruction - 10 year's experience

La comunidad desde la destrucción hasta la reconstrucción social, una experiencia de 10 años

Here we present practical and theoretical experiences we have as a result of a 10-year program of psychosocial assistance to refugees from Central Croatia, implemented by the Society for Psychological Assistance. Various forms of assistance to the community in crises started immediately after people became refugees, lasted throughout their 5-year exile, their preparations for becoming returnees and went on after they returned to their original homes. This material is focuses on activities with children and adolescents, who are still, although they have returned to their original homes, a group of high risks. In addition to the process of adjustment to new circumstances regarding the process of return, and coping with unresolved traumas and losses, these children have to overcome tasks of normal development.

Various psychosocial interventions were made in different stages of the program. They were as follows: socialization groups, individual treatment, psychosocial support to families, summer camps for traumatized children, psycho-educational workshops, training for teachers and parents, and implementation of psychosocial programs in that community.

We developed a model based on the interactive principle and it includes school, family, centres for social care, health institutions and local authorities. A very important element of helping community in crises is, in our experiences, dissemination of knowledge and sensitization of the community to special needs of children and young persons. To make the community stronger, we trained teachers and other school and local community professionals to carry out some activities with children; we wanted them to be able to continue activities once the project is formally closed. Besides developing various kinds of intervention, we developed instruments for monitoring and evaluating our work.

Results were utilised to verify some hypothesis in the context of stress. Many years of being outside of its natural surroundings brings changes to social values and future expectations from the community. One of the most risky elements of refugee life is the feeling of insecurity and uncertainty. During the process of return these feelings have just taken another form. We analyzed the correlation between traumatic experiences, successful posttraumatic adjustment and some cognitive correlates such as expectations and perception of possible realization of personal expectations.