Preliminary Study on Psychological Conditions of Returning Prisoners of War, at the Time of Their Arrival in Iran

SUMMARY Earlier studies demonstrate psychological consequences of extraordinary physical and emotional hardships experienced by prisoners of war. In August 1990 first groupsor Iranian prisoners of war returned from their captivities in Iraq. We took the opportunity to study their psychological conditions during their stay in temporary placements. This report highlights the result of our findings on 1541 of returning war prisoners, who were placed in special camps in Tehran and Isfahan before going back to their homes. We used a specially designed questionner, developed by writers of this report, as well as "Hopelessness Scale", short form of "SCL" (with 29 questions measuring depression, hostility and anxiety), and slightly revised "Self-Concept Test" (SCT), to gather demographic information and inquire about conditions, experiences, and reactions to special events, prior to,and during the period of their captivitees, and to evaluate some aspects of their psychological condition at the time or the study. Information outlined here may be useful for military planners in defining "at-risk" groups, and pos sibilit y in minimizi ng the ir vu! nera bi Ii ties. In addition, resul ls of this study can he hclprul in better understanding of psychological conditions orreturning prisoners or war, and the relationship between their personal characteristics and psychopalhological changes developed among them. We also hope lhal experiences we gained during the study, and outcomes presented here can also be of some use for those who plan to start or continue this line or research.