UK 'more traumatic' than Bosnia

People who stayed in Bosnia were found to be happier

Many war refugees find life in the UK more traumatic than the situations they left behind, a study has found.

Researchers compared the experience of Bosnians who came to Britain with those who stayed in their own country.

Experts found the group that developed the worst post-traumatic stress problems were those who came to the UK.

Psychologist Dr Nigel Hunt, who led the study at the Nottingham Trent University, found Bosnian war survivors who moved to the UK had to deal with an alien culture, a new language and possible hostility from local people.

Those who stayed in Bosnia felt they had a better standard of living

Dr Nigel Hunt

There were many post-migration problems for refugees and many were unemployed for prolonged periods, often because of the language barrier.

Dr Hunt surveyed 190 people, of whom 69 were Bosnian refugees currently living in the UK and 121 who remained in their country throughout the war.

The refugees were asked questions about socio-economic factors and their wartime experiences.

The majority of refugees considered their standard of living to be lower than it was before the war.

Only a quarter thought their lives had improved.

Dr Hunt said: "They came here to escape the war, but they are the ones who have experienced the most trauma.

'Appropriate welcome'

"It is about problems associated with living in a different culture.

"Those who stayed in Bosnia felt they had a better standard of living.

"This finding indicates that ideally, though this is not always possible, people should be helped to remain in their own country.

"If they do become refugees then it is important for the host country to provide appropriate assistance, not just in terms of treatment of psychological disorder, but also in providing an appropriate welcome, help with learning the language and help with adapting to the new culture."

The Bosnian war, from 1992 to 1995, resulted in up to 250,000 deaths, of which 90% were civilians.