Defense Mechanisms and Coping Strategies Among Widows in Sarajevo Research Final.

DEFENSE MECHANISMS AND COPING STRATEGIES
AMONG WIDOWS IN SARAJEVO
RESEARECH PAPER
Author:
Davor Glavinic
May 2018
DEFENSE MECHANISMS AND COPING STRATEGIES
AMONG WIDOWS IN SARAJEVO
RESEARECH PAPER
Author:
Davor Glavinic
May 2018
2
Table of Content
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 5
PART I: METHODOLOGICHAL FRIMEWORK........................................................................... 6
Research proposal ..................................................................................................................... 6
Coping strategies and defense mechanisms ............................................................................. 7
Methodology ............................................................................................................................. 9
Purpose of the research ........................................................................................................ 9
Sample and Sampling .......................................................................................................... 10
Instruments ......................................................................................................................... 10
Socio-demographic scale .................................................................................................... 10
Defense Mechanism Rating Scale ....................................................................................... 11
COPE .................................................................................................................................... 11
Procedure and Research Design ......................................................................................... 11
Data and results ...................................................................................................................... 12
PART II: THEORETICHAL REWIEV ........................................................................................ 13
Literature review ..................................................................................................................... 13
Social environment ................................................................................................................. 13
Theoretical Models of the Activity of Social Support ............................................................. 15
Stress, social support, depression and physical health........................................................... 15
PART III: EMPIRICAL RESEARCH ......................................................................................... 17
Results ..................................................................................................................................... 17
Discussion................................................................................................................................ 47
PART IV: OTHER THEORIES ................................................................................................ 50
Widows and self-help parenting ............................................................................................. 50
Overview of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina ............................................................ 50
Moms and Facing .................................................................................................................... 51
Widows and Parental Stress ................................................................................................... 52
Perceived social support ......................................................................................................... 54
CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................... 56
REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................... 61
Books ....................................................................................................................................... 61
Internet sources ...................................................................................................................... 68
APPENDIX ......................................................................................................................... 69
Questionar............................................................................................................................... 69
3
Biography of candidate ........................................................................................................... 78
LISTS................................................................................................................................. 79
List of tabeles .......................................................................................................................... 79
List of pictures ......................................................................................................................... 80
ACKNOWLEDGMENT ......................................................................................................... 81
4
INTRODUCTION
Every day we are confronted with the topic of war. In fact, from the beginning of World,
wars are being waged. Today there are many ongoing armed conflicts and wars in the
World, for example in Syria, Irak, and Afganistan, that induce the loss of thousands of
lives and large additional human suffering. Millions of people worldwide are affected by
armed conflicts and are confronted with violence, danger, exploitation, fear, physical
harm, and loss of loved ones. Many people are forced to flee and lose their homeland.
Some are confronted with the death of loved ones.
Life has its stressors, specific events or chronic pressures that place demands on a person
or threaten the person's well-being Schacter et al; (2009),Furthermore, as the authors
state, , catastrophes are obvious sources of stressors, but for most of us, stressors are
personal events that affect the comfortable pattern of our lives and little annoyances that
bug us day after day and cause us to deal with stress. The most negative events in our
lives are the death of a loved one, divorce and getting fired Wrotman (1999)..
Furthermore, how well people manage stress depends not only on their internal stressors-
which are self induced and come from people's personal goals, expectations, standards,
perceptions and so on - but also on their external stressors - over which they do not have
control, and are forces from the outside world. The body and the mind both react to stress
(Schacter et al, 2009). The author claims that psychological costs of stress can be serious,
in some cases eventually leading to anxiety disorders or depression. Anxiety disorders
are a group of disorders in which anxiety is the predominant disturbance or is experienced
confronting a dread object or situation or in resisting obsessions or compulsions
(VandenBos, 2007). According to the same author depression is defined as a dysphoria
that can vary in severity from a fluctuation in normal mood to an extreme feeling of
sadness, pessimism, and despondency.
5
PART I: METHODOLOGICHAL FRIMEWORK
Research proposal
There are more widows than a widowers. The reason for that is that women tend to live
longer than men, and tend to be younger than their husbands (O’Bryant and Straw, 1991).
Because of differences in longevity, and in part because women tend to marry older men,
women are far more likely to be widowed then men (World Health Organization, 2002).
For women, widowhood starts earlier and lasts longer than for men (Barer, 1994). The
average length of widowhood for women is 15 years (Carstensen and Pasupathi, 1993).
The statistics of the „Agency of Statistic of Bosnia and Herzegovina„ state that from war
in this area, there were between 100,000 and 110,000 victims. 89% of all victims were
men, while women accounted for 10% of victims (Burg and Shoup, 1999).
Papalia et al; (1996), claims that a survivor of a long marriage generally faces many
emotional and practical problems, like emotional void, the loss of a lover, a confidant, a
good friend, and a steady companion. Same authors says that even with a bad marriage,
a loss may be felt. Furthermore, this loss may be especially hard for a woman who has
structured her life and her identity around caring for her husband. It also affects working
people of both sexes who no longer have a partner to come home to, and retirees who
have no one to talk to - or argue with. The author continues that social life changes, too.
Friends and family usually rush to the mourner's side immediately after the death; but
they go back to their own lives. Married friends, uncomfortable with the thought that
bereavement could happen to them too, may avoid the widowed person (Papalia er al,
1996). In 1990 Brubaker said that both widowed men and widowed women often feel like
the „fifth wheel“ with couples who have been longtime friends. A recent study conducted
in Nepal (Basnet et al. 2017) found that war - widows are especially at risk for anxiety
and depression due to both traumatic experiences and violation of natural order of
widowhood.
Bonanno (2004) states that the death of a spouse is likely to have long - term
psychological consequences due to the loss of an intimate companion and because income
and wealth may also be diminished. The typical assumption is that financial shocks and
long - term financial insecurity are detrimental to psychological well - being. The same
6
authors claim that the health of each individual depends on how they perceive stressors
and how they cope and deal with it. He further points out that people consciously or
unconsciously protect them self’s from stressor by using different coping strategies and
defense mechanisms.
Coping strategies and defense mechanisms
Cramer (2006) argues that both defense mechanisms and coping strategies are aroused by
situations involving psychological disequilibrium. In this sense both similarly act as
adaptation processes.
If the purpose of coping mechanisms is to:
(1) decrease negative affect,

(2) return to baseline functioning as quickly as possible, and
(3) to solve or manage the problem.
Coping strategy intentionally engage in activities addressing the problem, which includes
diminishing negative affect. Defense mechanisms also function to diminish negative
effects, but they do so without the conscious intent of awareness of the person (Aldwin
et al, 1996). In addition, coping strategies sometimes address the problem by acting
directly on the problematic situation. Thereby reducing negative affect, whereas defenses
focused on changing internal states (negative affect) rather than external reality (Watson
and Hubbard, 1996).
Coping mechanisms are often used to suggest that individuals are handling stress well or
that they have the situation under control (Friedman, 1998). Coping mechanisms involve
a conscious, purposeful effort, whereas defense mechanisms occur without conscious
intentionality (Cramer, 2006) and can be Problem - directed coping strategy, to which
belong (a) confrontational coping or forcefully standing one's ground; refusing to change
and attempting to change other belief. (b) Social support which means relaying on friends
7
and family for advice and encouragement. (c) Planful problem solving, or looking at
options in a detached, objective manner, considering multiple possibilities before taking
action. The second category according to the same author is Emotion-directed coping
strategies. This category include (a) Self-control or reacting stoically, without displays
of emotion; „keeping a stiff upper lip“. (b) Distancing or withdrawal, detachment;
attempting to downplay or discount stressful event(s). (c) Reappraisal or attempting to
view situation from a different perspective; trying to „look for the silver lining“. (d)
Accept responsibility or acknowledging personal role in event; trying to learn from
mistakes. (e) Escape/avoidance or refusing to accept changes by avoiding situations;
sometimes escape/avoidance leads to substance abuse. People often use defense
mechanisms as a cope with stressful events.
According to Cramar (2006), the concept of defense mechanisms was originally

developed in the exploration of psychopathology. The authors claim that neurotic
symptoms can be explained as the manifestation of a particular defense mechanisms, and
the diagnosis of a particular neurosis is based on the presence of these defenses.
Furthermore, defenses occur every day. The authors continue that defenses change the
way in which we perceive „reality“, and think about ourselves. However, defense
mechanisms play a useful and necessary role in our everyday life. In the APA Dictionary
of Psychology (2007), psychoanalytic theory defines defense mechanism as an
unconscious reaction patter employed by the ego to protect itself from the anxiety that
arises from psychic conflict. Such mechanisms range from mature to immature,
depending on how much they distort reality. Craighead and Nemeroff (2002), claimed
that because it is assumed that most people are motivated to reduce negative states,
theorists have devoted considerable attention to the identification of defense mechanisms,
and a wide wariety of mechanisms has been suggested. Because it is important to be
aware of the empirical basis upon which each defens is based, most used one will be
explain in next paragraph.
8
The psychiatrist George Eman Vaillant, who according to Cramer (2006) introduced a
four-level classification of defense mechanisms:
Level I – pathological defenses (psychotic denial, delusional projection)

Level II – immature defenses (fantasy, projection, passive aggression, acting out)
Level III – neurotic defenses (intellectualization, reaction formation, dissociation,
displacement, and repression)
Level IV – mature defenses (humor, sublimation, suppression, altruism,
anticipation)
Methodology
Purpose of the research
To study any phenomena scientists usually advocate for combination of qualitative and
quantitative analysis in order to gain better insight and understanding of the phenomena.
Qualitative research is an approach to science that does not employ quantification
(expression in numerical form) of the observations made (VandenBos, 2007). , data that
are not expressed numerically, such as descriptions of behavior and experience and they
can often be expressed quantitatively.
On the other hand, quantitative data are data expressed numerically, such as scores or
measurements of length or width. The author continues with further explanation of
quantitative research which is an approach to science that employs the quantification
(expression in numerical form) of the observations made. Purpose of this study is to
explore defense mechanisms and coping strategies of widows in Sarajevo, BiH.
9
Sample and Sampling
Target sample for this research are women who lost their husbands in BiH war and those
who lost their husband after the war (namely, war – widows and non war –widows) in
Sarajevo. Approximately, at least, 100 widows (50 participants in each group) will be
recruited.
Instruments
In this study, next to socio-demographic questionnaire (age, widowhood length, level of

education, current living arrangements, employment status and perceived sources of
social support at the moment of loss and now) COPE and Defense Style Questionnaire
60 (DSQ 60) will be used.
Socio-demographic scale
The Socio-demographic questionnaire will consist of items such as age, widowhood

length, level of education, current living arrangements, employment status and perceived
sources of social support at the moment of loss and now etc. These items may be used to
gain further insight into the lives of widows, but might also be used as covariates in the
main analysis to exclude other sources for effects.
10
Defense Mechanism Rating Scale
Bond (1983), according to Thygesen (2005), The Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ) is
a self-report instrument designed to measure defensive functioning and coping styles.
COPE
COPE is developed by Carver, Scheier & Weintraub, 1989. It is a 60 - item index of

coping, comprising 14 discreet scales for active coping, planning, suppressing competing
activities, restraint coping, seeking social support for instrumental reasons, seeking social
support for emotional reasons, positive reinterpretation and growth, acceptance, turning
to religion, focusing on the venting emotion, denial, behavioral disengagement, mental
disengagement, and a single item measure of alcohol - drug disengagement (Lyne and
Roger, 2001).
Procedure and Research Design
The procedure in conducting this study is planned in the following manner. Researcher
contacted Health Center in Vogosca where significant number of widows in Sarajevo
receive medical health care, to help her recruit participants. Researcher will also use
snowball sampling technique based on personal and family contacts to recruit as much as
possible participants. Reasercher will explain to the participants about the purpose of the
study, privacy and ethical rules and ask them to voluntarily participate. Only participants
who agree to volunteer in the study will be distributed above mentioned questionnaire
which will have clear stated study purpose and sign the agreement form. All completed
questionnaires will be then collected by a researcher, entered into SPSS (Statistical
Package for Social Sciences) for Windows 21.0 and analyzed.
11
Data and results
Based on socio demographic variables and expected differences in the, we also expect to
find find differences in coping strategies and defense mechanisms are used by war-
widows and non war- widows.
12
PART II: THEORETICHAL REWIEV
Literature review
Sources of social support may be different, though most people receive the bulk of
emotional support, instrumental, material support, and the like in the family. Although
the functions of social support can be conceptually segregated, those in everyday life are
usually not independent, eg people who spend more time in socializing with others have
more access to instrumental support and emotional support (Vrućinić, 2012). Some
research shows a high correlation between different functions of social support (Cohen
and Willis, 1985). Social support refers to the behavior of a social environment that
contributes to the emotional benefit of the recipient and which facilitates the confrontation
with stress and social roles. It is a complex construct that unites the really received
support, as well as expectations that members of the social network will be ready and / or
able to provide help if needed (Raboteg-Šarić et al., 2003). A person with more social
support can assess a stressful situation less vulnerable than a person with less social
support because he knows that there are other people who are willing to help her (Pećnik
and Raboteg-Šarić, 2005, Reić Ercegovac, 2011). Since social support enhances parental
benefit, it promotes better family functioning and interaction among family members, it
also has positive effects on child development and behavior (Duis, Summers and
Summers, 1997).
Social environment
Perceived social support refers to a general assessment of the extent to which a person is
subjectively expected support from relationships with supportive network members. This
approach highlights the quality of social support received, that is, the perception of the
person that other people will support her in a situation when she needs it, especially the
stress conditions (Hudek-Knežević and Kardum, 2006). Based on the level of perceived
social support, that is, estimates that we can get help in situations when we need it, we
can predict to what extent social contacts are a factor of protection in the life of a stressed
13
person. In other words, coping with day-to-day stress on parenting may be more
dependent on the parent's perception that support is available and available than on past
assistance provided by members of the social network. Sarason et al. (1987, according to
Bastašić, 2008) point out that measures of social support perceived, which affect the
degree to which an individual is accepted, loved, and involved in open communication
relationships, is a better indicator of adjustment from the measure of support received.
They also point out that the effects of social support on adaptation outcomes are to a
greater extent a function of quality than the number of social support, ie the number of
supporting social contacts. The link between perceived social support and really received
social support was a subject of meta-analysis that was conducted by Haber, Cohen, Lucas
and Baltes (2007) on 23 surveys. Their analysis showed that this correlation averages r
=.35. Changing the status of single parents requires acceptance of new roles and new
responsibilities, reviewing relationships with the family and friends, transforming
relationships with the former spouse, solving and accepting the loss, and the question of
forming a new identity.
In the professional literature, it is particularly emphasized that divorced parents are

characterized by separation from society, that is, the termination of their former
relationships or their significant limitation (Grozdanić, 2010). The literature review
suggests that single parents are less likely to have access to assistance in solving problems
and material and practical difficulties in extraordinary situations from parenting families
(Cairney, Boyle, Offord and Racine, 2003; Raboteg-Šarić et al. 2003). Research carried
out by Crosier,
Butterworth and Rodgers (2007) attribute the just-perceived social support as one of the
most important predictors of poor mammalian mental health.
14
Theoretical Models of the Activity of Social Support
A basic model of social support for psychosocial adaptation and health is referred to as
the Main or Direct effect model, which says that social support generally has a positive
impact on a person, regardless of specific stress situations. This model describes two
mechanisms where social support works for health. The first is that it facilitates or
encourages health-focused behaviors, leading to more positive health outcomes. The
second mechanism describes social support as a source of positive self-assessment of the
recipient, and it also works to increase the perception of control and reduce anxiety and
helplessness, which can also lead to better health outcomes (Thoits, 1985, Hudek-
Knežević and Kardum, 2006). Such inclusion in the social network can be related to the
well-being of the person as it provides positive experiences, a sense of predictability in
life situations, and can have an impact on patterns of health behavior such as smoking,
alcohol consumption, or seeking medical help (Cohen and Willis, 1985).
Stress, social support, depression and physical health
Adaptations with which single mothers face may be divided into three major groups:
individual-level adjustments such as personal assessment, emotional stress, economic
problems, and relationships with the former husband and family members; adaptation of
a social nature such as interaction with relatives and neighbors, and adaptation in relation
to parents and children such as child care, education, etc. (He 2002, Chen, Gu and Chen,
2012). Adversity difficulties are particularly contributing to the simultaneous presence of
problems related to several roles, so single mothers with young children under the age of
five who have financial problems are most likely to become depressed (Hudek-Knežević
and Kardum, 2006).
Much of the literature concerning single motherhood talks about its negative impact on
physical and mental health. Because of the fact that single parenting places them in an
unfavorable social position, the need for single-breasted mothers and fathers to increase
support is emphasized. Such unfavorable social position is associated with prolonged
15
a period of stress that may be due, for example, to a greater number of working hours or
lack of child care assistance (Rousou, Kouta, Middletone and Karanikola, 2013). All this
negatively affects their physical and mental health as well as other members of their
families. The results of the research on the effects of high levels of stress on the mental
health of single mothers show that they generally experience more levels of psychological
stress (Franz, Lensche and Schmitz, 2003) are more likely to suffer from mood disorders
and anxiety disorders (Lipman, Offord and Boyle, 1997 ) and depressive symptoms
(Cairney et al., 2003; Cicak, 2010; Rousou et al., 2013; Wang, 2004). Many researches
tell about the different consequences of the mother's negative affect, or the consequences
of high levels of parenting stress. Dunn et al. (1998, according to Solombok, 2004)
examined differences in the negative affect of their subjects using a scale composed of
particles such as "My Child Nuts" or ".
16
PART III: EMPIRICAL RESEARCH
Results
Sarajevo.. Approximately, at least, 100 widows (50 participants in each group) will be
recruited.
Tablica 1. Age structure
Kojoj starosnoj skupini pripadate

Frequenc Percen Valid Cumulative
y t Percent Percent
Valid Do 30 godina starosti 14 13.5 13.9 13.9
Od 30 do 40 36 17.3 17.8 31.7
Od 40 do 50 42 20.2 20.8 52.5
Od 50 do 60 50 24.0 24.8 77.2
Više od 60 46 22.1 22.8 100.0
Total 202 97.1 100.0
Missin System 6 2.9
g
Total 208 100.0
Data analysis showed that the biggest number of widows are the age of between 50 and
50 years old, in other words 24% of total respondents. This section can be explained as a
large number of female war-widows, with marital status lasting of more than 20 years
old. Then, 22.1% of the respondents are older than 60 years, furthermore respondenets of
40 and 50 years old, 20.2% of them, 17.3% of the age between 30 and 40, and at the very
least respondents have a minimum of 30 years of age, all 13,%. A graphical representation
of the structure of the answer is presented on the graphic display.
17
Figure 1. The time since the respondent became a widow
Tablica 2. The time since the respondent became a widow
Da li ste
y t Percent Percent
Valid Ratna udovica 100 48.1 49.5 49.5
Poslijeratna udovica 102 49.0 50.5 100.0
Total 202 97.1 100.0
Missin System 6 2.9
g
Total 208 100.0
18
Based on the demographic analysis of the questionnaire, it is evident that 48.1% of the
respondents are war-widows, while 49% of the post-war-widow questioned. A graphic
representation of the structure of the response is presented in the following graphic.
Figure 2. Working status of the respondent
Tablica 3. Working status of the respondent
Da li ste
y t Percent Percent
Valid Zaposlena 108 51.9 53.5 53.5
Nezaposlena 94 45.2 46.5 100.0
Total 202 97.1 100.0
Missing System 6 2.9
Total 208 100.0
19
Data analysis shows that 108 respondents are employed, or 51.9% of them, while 45.2%
of the respondents, or of them 94, are currently unemployed. A graphic representation of
the response structure is presented in the following chart.
Figure 3. Education structure
Tablica 4. Education structure
Vaša stručna sprema

y t Percent Percent
Valid OSS 8 3.8 4.0 4.0
SSS 102 49.0 50.5 54.5
VSS 76 36.5 37.6 92.1
Ostalo 16 7.7 7.9 100.0
20
Total 202 97.1 100.0
Total 208 100.0
Most respondents have secondary education, 49% of them, followed by highly educated
respondents - 36.5% of them, 7.7% of respondents are masters and doctors of sciences.
In the end we have 3.8% of them with finished primary school, in other words – with the
lowest education. Graphic representation of the structure of the response is presented in
the following graphic.
Figure 4. Parental status
21
Tablica 5. Parental status
Da li imate djece
y t Percent Percent
Valid Da 110 54.5 54.5 54.5
Ne 92 45.5 45.5 100.0
Total 202 100.0 100.0
The previous table shows that 110 respondents or 54.5% of them have one or more
children, while 45.5% or 92 of them responded negatively to the asked question. A
graphic representation of the response structure is presented on the following histogram.
Figure 5. Marriage duration
22
Tablica 6. Marriage duration
Koliko godina ste bili u braku?

y t Percent Percent
Valid do 5 godina 68 32.7 33.7 33.7
Od 5 do 10 godina 84 40.4 41.6 75.2
Od 10 do 15 42 20.2 20.8 96.0
Od 15 do 20 8 3.8 4.0 100.0
Total 202 97.1 100.0
Total 208 100.0
The data analysis shows that the most of respondents were married between 5 and 10
years, or 40.4% of them, then the following group with marriage lasted up to 5 years -
32.7% of them, then marriages lasted between 10 and 15 years, 20.2% of the respondents
, and the smallest group of all were married between 15 and 20 years. The graphic
representation of the answer structure in the previous table is presented in the following
graphic representation.
23
Figure 6. Time spent as a widow
Tablica 7. Time spent as a widow
Koliko dugo ste već udovica?

y t Percent Percent
Valid do 5 godina 38 18.3 18.8 18.8
Od 5 do 10 godina 42 20.2 20.8 39.6
Od 10 do 15 18 8.7 8.9 48.5
Od 15 do 20 6 2.9 3.0 51.5
Više od 20 98 47.1 48.5 100.0
Total 202 97.1 100.0
Total 208 100.0
24
The previous table shows that the highest number of respondents are widows for over 20
years, as many as 47.1% of those surveyed, those between 5 and 10 years old, 20.2%,
18.3% of them – up to 5 years, between 10 and 15 years - 8, 7%, and at least between the
ages 15 and 20 - only 2.9% of the respondents. A graphic representation of the structure
of the response is shown in the following graphic representation - the structural circle.
Figure 7. Having the culprit for the status
Tablica 8. Having the culprit for the status
Da li krivite nekoga za smrt svog supruga?

y t Percent Percent
Valid Da 86 42.6 42.6 42.6
Ne 116 57.4 57.4 100.0
Total 202 100.0 100.0
25
Interestingly, 42.6% or 86 of respondents think that there is a culprit for the death of their
spouse, while 116 respondents or 57.4% believe that there is no culprit. A graphic
representation of the response structure is presented in the following chart.
Figure 8. Support for the widows
Tablica 9. Support for the widows
Da li imate neku vrstu podrke?

y t Percent Percent
Valid Da 50.5 50.5 50.5
102
Ne 100 49.5 49.5 100.0
Total 202 100.0 100.0
26
Data analysis shows that slightly more than half of widows have some type of support
since they ended up in the widow's status, actually, 50.5% of them, while the rest of them
or 49.5% of them answered negatively to this question. A graphic representation of the
structure of the answer to this question is presented in the following graph - the structural
circle.
Figure 9. Dealing with stress- Part one
27
Tablica 10. Dealing with stress- Part I
Report
Da li ste Pričinjava mi Mogu odgoditi Rješavam se
zadovoljstvo razmišljanje o tjeskobe radeći
pomagati nekom nešto
drugima i ako mi problemu dok konstruktivno i
se to onemogući ne nađem kreativno poput
mogu postati vremena suočiti slikanja, pisanja,
depresivna. se s njim. obrade drva i sl.
Ratna Mean 6.2000 5.8400 3.9200
udovica Std. 1.88442 2.17931 1.90424
Deviation
Minimum 1.00 2.00 1.00
Maximum 9.00 9.00 8.00
Grouped 6.5385 6.1538 3.7059
Median
Poslijeratn Mean 6.2745 7.3529 5.2745
a udovica Std. 1.11496 .89047 1.23415
Deviation
Minimum 3.00 5.00 2.00
Maximum 8.00 9.00 8.00
Grouped 6.4054 7.4667 5.3333
Median
Test T – test p = 0,597 > 0,05 p = 0,075 > 0,05 p = 0,000 < 0,05
Total Mean 6.2376 6.6040 4.6040
Std. 1.53720 1.81703 1.73251
Deviation
Minimum 1.00 2.00 1.00
Maximum 9.00 9.00 8.00
Grouped 6.4603 7.1563 4.7895
Median
28
The war widows and post-war widows somewhat agree with the claim that they are
pleased to help others, and if they are disabled, they may become depressed. The average
value is 6.2 and 6.27 tp and proves it. The T test showed that there is no difference
between the two groups of respondents under this claim.
The opinions of war widows are divided on the question that they can postpone thinking
about a problem until they find time to face it, while the post-war widows somehow agree
with this assertion. The T test showed that there was a significant statistical difference
between the samples.
War widows disagree with the claim that anxiety is solved by doing something
constructive and creative, such as painting, writing, woodworking, or something similar,
while the opinion of post-war widows is divided on the issue. The T test showed that there
is a significant statistical difference between the two groups of widows, since the tested
p value is less than 0.05.
Tablica 11. Dealing with stress- Part II
Report
Da li ste Često Razbolim se kada Vrlo sam
reagujem mi stvari u životu povučena
impulzivno krenu naopako. osoba.
kada mi nešto
smeta.
Ratna Mean 7.6200 5.2200 4.1000
udovica Std. .77959 1.60725 2.27004
Deviation
Minimum 6.00 1.00 1.00
Maximum 9.00 9.00 9.00
Grouped 7.6098 5.4138 3.5294
Median
Poslijeratna Mean 6.4314 5.4510 6.1765
udovica Std. 1.18752 1.04525 1.58374
Deviation
29
Minimum 4.00 3.00 2.00
Maximum 9.00 7.00 8.00
Grouped 6.4667 5.5278 6.5152
Median
Test T – test p = 0,000 < p = 0,074 > 0,05 p = 0,000 <
0,05 0,05
Total Mean 7.0198 5.3366 5.1485
Std. 1.16602 1.35113 2.20629
Deviation
Minimum 4.00 1.00 1.00
Maximum 9.00 9.00 9.00
Grouped 7.1385 5.4769 5.6364
Median
War widows agree with the statement that they often act impulsively when they are
bothered by something, which confirms the average response value of 7.62, while the
post-war widows agree somewhat with that claim, with an average score of 6.43. The T
test showed that there is a significant statistical difference between the attitudes of war
and post-war widows, since p <0.05.
Opinion of the both war and post-war widows is divided on the claim that they usually
get health problems when things go wrong in their lives. It is confirmed by the average
response of 5.2 for the first group and 5.4 for post-war widows. The T test shows that
there is no significant statistical difference between the attitudes of the two groups of
respondents.
The opinions of war widows are divided on the claim that they are very introvert, while
the post-war widows somewhat agree with this statement. The T test showed that there
was a significant statistical difference between the two groups of subjects, since p <0.05.
30
Tablica 12. Dealing with stress- Part III
Report
Da li ste Više zadovoljstva Imam posebne talente Ničega
mi pružaju moja koji mi omogućavaju se ne
maštanja nego moj da idem kroz život bez bojim.
stvarni život. poteškoća.
Ratna Mean 6.9600 3.3600 6.8800
udovica Std. .98892 1.49503 1.23949
Deviation
Minimum 5.00 1.00 4.00
Maximum 9.00 6.00 9.00
Grouped 6.9091 3.1579 7.0882
Median
udovica Std. 1.04638 .79902 1.78512
Deviation
Minimum 4.00 4.00 1.00
Maximum 8.00 8.00 8.00
Grouped 5.4688 7.1333 3.2917
Median
Test T – test p = 0,000 < 0,05 p = 0,000 < 0,05 p =
0,000 <
0,05
Total Mean 6.2178 5.2178 5.2574
Std. 1.25383 2.19820 2.22555
Deviation
Minimum 4.00 1.00 1.00
Maximum 9.00 8.00 9.00
Grouped 6.2281 5.8421 5.5556
Median
31
War widows agree with the claim that imagination gives them more satisfaction than real
life, while opinions of post-war widows are divided over this claim. The T test shows that
there is a significant statistical difference between the two groups examined, specifically
war and post-war widows.
War widows generally disagree with the claim that they have special talents that allow
them to go through their own lives without difficulty, while the post-war widows agree
with that claim. There is a significant statistical difference in this claim between war and
post-war widows, as p <0.05.
The war widows agree with the assertion that they are not afraid of anything, while the
post-war widows generally do not agree with that assertion. The T test showed that there
is a significant statistical difference between the two groups of respondents according to
the above assertion.
Tablica 13. Dealing with stress- Part IV
Report
Da li ste Ponekad za Postanem Ako bi me moj šef
sebe mislim otvoreno naživcirao, namjerno
da sam kao agresivna bih griješila na poslu
anđeo, a kada se ili bih radila sporije
ponekad da osjećam samo da mu se
sam pravi povrijeđeno. osvetim.
đavo.
Ratna Mean 3.3600 7.0600 6.8800
udovica Std. 1.32110 1.05772 1.33463
Deviation
Minimum 1.00 5.00 4.00
Maximum 6.00 9.00 9.00
Grouped 3.2800 7.1250 7.0000
Median
Mean 6.5686 7.3137 4.4902
32
Poslijeratna Std. 1.57804 .90532 1.73635
udovica Deviation
Minimum 2.00 6.00 2.00
Maximum 9.00 9.00 8.00
Grouped 6.8966 7.3056 4.4444
Median
Test T – test p = 0,000 < p = 0,341 > p = 0,000 < 0,05
0,05 0,05
Total Mean 4.9802 7.1881 5.6733
Std. 2.16786 .98704 1.95504
Deviation
Minimum 1.00 5.00 2.00
Maximum 9.00 9.00 9.00
Grouped 5.0455 7.2206 5.9063
Median
War widows generally disagree with the claim that they sometimes think that they are
real angels, and sometimes as if they were a devil, while the post-war widows somewhat
agree with that assertion. The T test shows that there is a significant statistical difference
between the two samples in relation to the claimed assertion.
Both of the two investigated groups agree with the claim that they become openly
aggressive when they feel hurt. The T test showed that there was no significant statistical
difference between the two groups tested, p> 0.05.
The war widows somewhat agree with the claim that in the event of their boss makes
them mad, deliberately mistaken at work or worked slower only to retaliate, the post-war
widows generally disagree with that assertion. The T test has shown that there is a
significant statistical difference between war and post-war widows.
33
Tablica 14. Dealing with stress- Part V
Report
Da li ste Postoji osoba Ljekari Kada sam
koju znam, a zapravo depresivna ili
koja može nikad ne tjeskobna, hrana
napraviti sve i razumiju šta mi pomogne da se
apsolutno je mi je. osjećam bolje.
pravedna i
poštena.
Ratna Mean 3.8400 6.9000 6.7600
udovica Std. 1.43371 .81441 1.51940
Deviation
Minimum 1.00 5.00 1.00
Maximum 7.00 9.00 9.00
Grouped 3.7826 6.8500 7.0278
Median
udovica Std. .99686 1.84922 1.93907
Deviation
Minimum 5.00 1.00 1.00
Maximum 9.00 8.00 8.00
Grouped 6.7879 4.0000 3.9375
Median
Test T – test p = 0,000 < 0,05 p = 0,000 < p = 0,000 < 0,05
0,05
Total Mean 5.3069 5.4455 5.3663
Std. 1.90653 2.03212 2.22136
Deviation
Minimum 1.00 1.00 1.00
Maximum 9.00 9.00 9.00
Grouped 5.5152 5.9688 6.0000
Median
War widows disagree with the claim that there is a person who can do everything and is
absolutely rightful and honest, while post-war widows generally agree with that assertion.
The T test showed that there is a significant statistical difference between war and post-
war widows, as it is p <0.05.
34
War widows agree with the claim that doctors never understand what is wrong, while the
post-war widows disagree with this assertion. The T test showed that there was a
significant statistical difference between the two examinees of the widow group.
War widows agree with the claim that in the time of depression or anxiety, food helps
them feel better, while the opinions of post-war widows are divided according to the
assertions above. The T test shows that there is a significant statistical difference between
the analyzed samples.
Tablica 15. Reactions in conflicts- Part I
Report
Da li ste Takve Uznemiren/ Svom Razgovara
situacije a sam i snagom m sa nekim
nastojim otvoreno pokušavam o svojim
iskoristiti iskazujem učiniti osjećajima.
kao svoje nešto u vezi
vrijedna osjećaje. s tim
životna problemim
iskustva. a.
Ratna udovica Mean 2.0600 3.8200 2.2200 2.5000
Std. .89008 .71969 .95383 .97416
Deviation
Minimum 1.00 2.00 1.00 1.00
Maximum 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00
Grouped 1.9737 3.8537 2.1176 2.4571
Median
Poslijeratna Mean 3.2353 3.0588 2.9608 3.7647
udovica Std. .83877 .98817 .97900 .83877
Deviation
Minimum 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Maximum 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00
Grouped 3.3095 3.1389 3.0000 3.8000
Median
Test T – test p = 0,000 < p = 0,000 < p = 0,000 < p = 0,000 <
0,05 0,05 0,05 0,05
Total Mean 2.6535 3.4356 2.5941 3.1386
Std. 1.04341 .94251 1.03129 1.10480
Deviation
Minimum 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Maximum 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00
Grouped 2.6452 3.5195 2.5313 3.2097
Median
35
War widows sometimes try to exploit such situations as valuable life experiences, while
post-war widows do so often. The average values of 2.06 and 3.23 prove it. The T test
has shown that there is a significant statistical difference between widows who are left
without a partner in the war and those post-war.
War widows are often upset and openly express their feelings, while post-war widows do
it normally. The T test shows that there is a significant statistical difference between the
respondents who are the rest of us widows in and after the war.
War widows are trying their best to solve a problem, while post-war widows do it
normally. The T test also showed in this case that there is a significant statistical
difference between the two samples.
War widows usually talk to someone about their feelings, while post-war widows do it
more often, which confirms the average value of the answer. The T test shows that there
is a significant statistical difference between the two samples.
Tablica 16. Reactions in conflicts- Part II
Report
Da li ste Popijem Pokušavam Prihvatam Pokušavam
alkoholno se da se to dobiti
piće, pilule priviknuti dogodilo ( emocionaln
za smirenje na nastale događa) i u podršku
ili uzmem situacije. da se ne od rodbine i
drogu kako može prijatelja.
bih se bolje promijeniti.
osjećao/la.
Std. .45175 .55842 .94761 .88893
Deviation
Minimum 1.00 3.00 1.00 1.00
Maximum 3.00 5.00 5.00 5.00
Grouped 1.1837 4.1333 2.5833 2.1111
Median
udovica Std. .71125 .61357 .85681 1.01903
Deviation
Minimum 1.00 3.00 1.00 1.00
Maximum 3.00 5.00 4.00 5.00
Grouped 1.8537 4.0698 2.4359 2.6000
Median
36
Test T – test p = 0,000 < p = 602 > p = 473 > p = 0,016 <
0,05 0,05 0,05 0,05
Total Mean 1.5446 4.0891 2.5347 2.3960
Std. .68593 .58479 .90071 .98060
Deviation
Minimum 1.00 3.00 1.00 1.00
Maximum 3.00 5.00 5.00 5.00
Grouped 1.4889 4.1023 2.5067 2.3521
Median
War widows, according to the analysis, almost never have a drink, pills or take drugs to
make them feel better, while post-war widows do it sometimes. The T test showed that
there was a significant statistical difference between respondents who were left without a
husband during and after the war.
Data analysis has shown that both groups of respondents often have to try to adapt to the
situation. The T test showed that there was no significant statistical difference between
the two groups examined.
Both examinees sometimes feel that this has happened and can not be changed, which
confirms the average value of the response. The T test showed that there was no
significant statistical difference between war and postwar widows.
War widows sometimes try to get emotional support from relatives and friends, while
post-war widows do it normally. The T test has shown that there is a significant statistical
difference between war and post-war widows.
37
Tablica 17. Reactions in conflicts- Part III
Report
Da li ste Jednostavn Pokušavam Jednostavn Otvoreno
o se opustiti o odbijam iskazujem
odustajem pa popijem vjerovati da svoja
od pokušaja piće, neku se to osjećanja.
da ostvarim pilulu za dogodilo
svoje smirenje ili
ciljeve. uzmem
drogu.
Std. .60238 .49652 .65807 .95298
Deviation
Minimum 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Maximum 3.00 3.00 4.00 5.00
Grouped 1.3404 1.2653 1.2766 1.7692
Median
udovica Std. .83172 .71125 1.14891 1.02134
Deviation
Minimum 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Maximum 3.00 3.00 5.00 5.00
Grouped 2.3846 1.8537 1.8065 2.7500
Median
Test T – test p = 0,000 < p = 0,000 < p = 0,001 < p = 0,000 <
0,05 0,05 0,05 0,05
Total Mean 1.8416 1.5842 1.6733 2.3168
Std. .85712 .68216 .99105 1.06706
Deviation
Minimum 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Maximum 3.00 3.00 5.00 5.00
Grouped 1.7746 1.5333 1.4872 2.2542
Median
War widows never give up trying to achieve their goals, while post-war widows do this
sometimes, which confirms the average value of the answer. The T test showed that there
was a significant statistical difference between the two groups of respondents.
38
As for vices, and ways to relax, war widows almost never use it, while post-war widows
sometimes use it. The T test showed that there is a significant statistical difference
between war postwar widows.
War widows almost never try to accept the fact that this did not happen, while the post-
war widows sometimes do it. The T test showed that there is a significant statistical
difference between the two groups of subjects.
War widows sometimes express their feelings openly, while the post-war widows usually
do it normally. The T test showed that there is a significant statistical difference between
war and post-war widows.
Tablica 18. Reactions in conflicts- Part IV
Report
Da li ste Pijem Prihvatam Posežem za Učim se
alkohol, realnosti alkoholom, živjeti sa
uzimam takvih pilulama ili tim
pilule za situacija. drogom problemim
smirenje ili koje mi a.
drogu kako pomažu da
bih o tim prebrodim
situacijama te
što manje probleme.
razmišljao/l
a.
Std. .59796 .69429 .59796 .87622
Deviation
Minimum 1.00 2.00 1.00 2.00
Maximum 3.00 5.00 3.00 5.00
Grouped 1.3191 3.7907 1.3191 3.7778
Median
udovica Std. .74728 .98618 .74728 .91566
Deviation
Minimum 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Maximum 4.00 5.00 4.00 4.00
Grouped 1.9250 2.4286 1.9250 2.3333
Median
Test T – test p = 0,000 < p = 0,000 < p = 0,000 < p = 0,000 <
0,05 0,05 0,05 0,05
Total Mean 1.6634 3.1386 1.6634 3.0495
39
Std. .73861 1.03952 .73861 1.12584
Deviation
Minimum 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Maximum 4.00 5.00 4.00 5.00
Grouped 1.5977 3.2295 1.5977 3.0714
Median
Data analysis showed that widowed widows do not use vices to think less about the
situation they have suffered, while post-war widows do this sometimes. The T test
showed that there is a significant statistical difference between the two groups of subjects
in relation to the claimed assertion, since p <0.05.
Data analysis has shown that war widows often accept the reality of such situations, while
post-war widows sometimes do it. The T test showed that there was a significant statistical
difference between the two examined groups.
Data analysis has shown that war widows almost never use vices to overcome problems,
while post-war widows use it sometimes. The T test shows that there is a significant
statistical difference between the tested samples.
War widows are often struggling to live further with the problems they encounter, while
pos-twar widows struggle sometimes. The T test shows that there is a significant
statistical difference between war and post-war widows.
40
Tablica 19. Reactions in conflicts- Part V
Report
Da li ste Ostavljam Razmišlja Ponašam se Postepeno
po strani m o kao da se to radim ono
sve druge koracima nije ni što mislim
aktivnosti i koje valja dogodilo. da treba
usmjerava poduzeti učiniti u
m se na te kako bi se ti vezi s tim
probleme. problemi problemim
riješili. a.
Std. .67763 .97332 .60238 .78480
Deviation
Minimum 1.00 1.00 1.00 2.00
Maximum 3.00 5.00 3.00 5.00
Grouped 1.4444 3.5714 1.3404 3.4390
Median
udovica Std. .88295 .78115 .70683 .75615
Deviation
Minimum 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Maximum 5.00 4.00 4.00 4.00
Grouped 2.7436 2.4286 2.3182 2.2619
Median
Test T – test p = 0,000 < p = 0,000 < p = 0,000 < p = 0,000 <
0,05 0,05 0,05 0,05
Total Mean 2.0990 2.9802 1.8515 2.8515
Std. .98494 1.03904 .80481 .95274
Deviation
Minimum 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Maximum 5.00 5.00 4.00 5.00
Grouped 2.0678 2.9375 1.7848 2.8088
Median
Sometimes war widows leave aside all other activities to solve these problems, while the
post-war widows do it normally, which confirms the average value of the answer. The T
test showed that there was a significant statistical difference between the two groups of
patients, since p <0.05.
41
War widows often think about the steps that need to be taken to solve these problems,
while post-war widows do it normally. The T test has shown that there is a significant
statistical difference between war and post-war widows under this claim.
Data analysis shows that war widows almost never behave as it did not happen, while
post-war widows sometimes feel the same way. Data analysis using a statistical test
showed that there was a significant statistical difference between war and postwar
widows.
War widows usually do things gradually to solve a problem, while postwar widows do it
sometimes. The T test showed that there is a significant statistical difference between the
two groups of respondents on this issue.
Tablica 20. Reactions in conflicts- Part VI
Report
Da li ste Učim iz Izbjegavam Želim biti Izbjegavam
iskustva. društvo i sam/a. kontakte s
razgovore drugim
kako bih ljudima.
razmislio/la
o tom
problemu.
Std. Deviation .75593 .52722 .53299 .61445
Minimum 2.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Maximum 5.00 3.00 3.00 3.00
Grouped 3.4048 1.2292 2.0455 1.6739
Median
udovica Std. Deviation .88783 .64047 .98737 1.11812
Minimum 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Maximum 5.00 4.00 5.00 5.00
Grouped 3.1892 2.9070 2.9375 2.8214
Median
Test T – test p = 0,177 > p = 0,000 < p = 0,000 < p = 0,000 <
0,05 0,05 0,05 0,05
Total Mean 3.2871 2.0891 2.4455 2.3069
Std. Deviation .82869 1.01093 .88854 1.08391
Minimum 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Maximum 5.00 4.00 5.00 5.00
Grouped 3.3038 2.0370 2.4211 2.1356
Median
42
War widows often learn from experience, while post-war widows do it normally, which
confirms the average value of the answer. The T test showed that there was a significant
statistical difference between the two groups of subjects.
War widows almost never avoid society and conversations to think about this problem,
while post-war widows do it normally. The T test showed that there was a significant
statistical difference between the two groups examined.
Data analysis has shown that war widows sometimes want to be alone, while post-war
widows usually want it. And according to this claim, there is a significant statistical
difference, which the test did show.
Data analysis shows that war widows sometimes avoid contact with other people, while
post-war widows usually do it normally. The T test showed that there was a significant
statistical difference between the two groups of respondents.
Tablica 21. Spearman Rho correlatetion of time spent as widow and delaying thinking
about the problem
Correlations
Koliko Mogu
dugo ste odgoditi
već razmišljanj
udovica? e o nekom
problemu
dok ne
nađem
vremena
suočiti se s
njim.
Spearman's Koliko dugo ste već Correlation 1.000 .706**
rho udovica? Coefficient
Sig. (2-tailed) . .002
N 202 202
Mogu odgoditi Correlation .706** 1.000
razmišljanje o nekom Coefficient
problemu dok ne Sig. (2-tailed) .002 .
nađem vremena N 202 202
suočiti se s njim.
**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).
43
Data analysis using Spirman's correlation has shown that respondents who have been
widows for a long time respond better to delaying thinking about a problem until they
find time to solve it. The correlation coefficient for this claim is very high, it is 0.706, and
it is statistically significant.
Tablica 22. Spirman Ro correlation in time spent as a widow and solving anxiety by
constructive work
Correlations
Koliko Rješavam
dugo ste se tjeskobe
već radeći
udovica? nešto
konstruktiv
no i
kreativno
poput
slikanja,
pisanja,
obrade
drva i sl.
N 202 202
Rješavam se tjeskobe Correlation .816** 1.000
radeći nešto Coefficient
konstruktivno i Sig. (2-tailed) .000 .
kreativno poput N 202 202
slikanja, pisanja,
obrade drva i sl.
Data analysis has shown a strong correlation between the length of time spent as widows
and the resolution of anxiety by creative work. Which means that widows who spend
more time as widows are more easily solved by anxiety by doing something constructive
and creative.
44
Tablica 23. Spirman Ro correlation in time as a widow and post-war widow
Correlations
Koliko Vrlo sam
dugo ste povučena
već osoba.
udovica?
Spearman's Koliko dugo ste već Correlation 1.000 -.785**
N 202 202
Vrlo sam povučena Correlation -.785** 1.000
osoba. Coefficient
Sig. (2-tailed) .000 .
N 202 202
There is a negative correlation between the length of time spent as a widow and a person's
indulgence. This implies that widows who spend more time without husband are less
likely to drift away than those who spend less time without a husband.
Tablica 24. Spirman Ro correlation of time spent as a widow and fear
Correlations
Koliko Ničega se
dugo ste ne bojim.
već
udovica?
N 202 202
Ničega se ne bojim. Correlation .656** 1.000
Coefficient
N 202 202
45
There is a strong correlation between the length of time spent as widows and the existence
of fear. Therefore, the widows who spend more time alone have less fear than those who
spent less time alone, which was proven by the previous correlation.
Tablica 25. Spirman Ro correlation is carried out as a widow and a misunderstanding of

doctors
Correlations
Koliko Ljekari
dugo ste zapravo
već nikad ne
udovica? razumiju
šta mi je.
Spearman's Koliko dugo ste već Correlation 1.000 -.651**
N 202 202
Ljekari zapravo nikad Correlation -.651** 1.000
ne razumiju šta mi je. Coefficient
N 202 202
Data analysis using Spiman Ro correlation shows that there is a negative correlation
between the length of time spent as widows and distrust towards doctors. It can be
concluded that widows who spend a long time without a husband have more confidence
in doctors than those who have a lower period without a husband.
46
Discussion
recruited. Data analysis showed that the biggest number of widows are the age of between
50 and 50 years old, in other words 24% of total respondents. This section can be
explained as a large number of female war-widows, with marital status lasting of more
than 20 years old. Then, 22.1% of the respondents are older than 60 years, furthermore
respondenets of 40 and 50 years old, 20.2% of them, 17.3% of the age between 30 and
40, and at the very least respondents have a minimum of 30 years of age, all 13,%. A
graphical representation of the structure of the answer is presented on the graphic display.
47
circle.
48
statistical difference between the tested samples.
War widows are often struggling to live further with the problems they encounter, while
pos-twar widows struggle sometimes. The T test shows that there is a significant
statistical difference between war and post-war widows.
Data analysis using Spiman Ro correlation shows that there is a negative correlation
between the length of time spent as widows and distrust towards doctors. It can be
concluded that widows who spend a long time without a husband have more confidence
in doctors than those who have a lower period without a husband.
49
PART IV: OTHER THEORIES
Widows and self-help parenting
Research shows that more than half of children in their eighteenth year spend at least one
part of their life with one parent, and in most cases they are the mother (Miljević-Riđički
and Pavin Ivanec, 2008). Single parents, or single parents, may become due to the death
of a spouse or divorce, and may be self-sacrificing because they have never been married.
More recently, a group of mothers who, by their own decision, become self-sufficient and
decide on independent education for children without partners (Ajandi, 2011; Pakizegi,
2012). Demographic data can serve as an indicator of the changes that have occurred
through history in the causes of single parenthood - in the mid-20th century the main
cause of single parenthood was the death of one of the spouses, the number of divorces
increased in the 70s and 80s while newer times more and more single parents who have
never been married (Kotwal and Prabhakar, 2009). Today there is a high percentage of
children in the world living with only one parent, most often with their mother, and it can
be expected that due to the large number of divorces this number will continue to increase
in the future. The number of divorces in relation to the number of newly married
marriages in the European Union already exceeds one third as well as the number of
children born out of wedlock compared to the total number of births (Mrnjavac, 2014).
European data show that among single parents the most divorced - 57%, then widow /
widow - 22% never married - 21% (Miljević-Riđički and Pavin Ivanec, 2008).
Overview of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
When it comes to the situation in BiH, households with one parent with children account
for 24% of the total number of families with children. Data from the Central Bureau of
Statistics of BiH in 2011 show that the majority of mother families, or 84% (Mrnjavac,
2014), are of the total number of single parents. Of course, the fact that more than 80%
of the cases are distributed to the mother (Miljević-Riđički and Pavin Ivanec, 2008) are
certainly contributing to this fact.
50
Data on the number of single-parent families are very important to us because the family
structure is a feature that has the potential to create stereotypes and labeling people (eg,
unmarried mother, single father). Changes in the family structure that take place do not
necessarily have to be accompanied by changes in attitudes towards the family and
marriage. Attitudes towards single parenthood are part of a social context that somewhat
determines the quality of life of single parents and their children. Understanding the
environment affects not only the behavior of other people in society towards single
parents, but also the ability of parents themselves to face the everyday challenges of single
parenthood as well as their attitudes and personal experience of self-parenting (Raboteg-
Šarić and Pećnik, 2010). Halmi (1997; according to Miljević-Riđički and Pavin Ivanec,
2008) conducted a survey on marginalization of single parents on a sample of one hundred
single parents in BiH. He came to the conclusion that the most favorable attitudes towards
widowed family, then divorced parents, and the most negative attitude toward never
married parents. Similar issues were dealt with by Raboteg-Šarić, Pećnik and Josipović
(2003). Exploring the social support provided to single mothers by their environment has
shown that divorced mothers and mothers who are born out of wedlock sometimes find
themselves in prejudices surrounding the environment, which negatively judges their
morality, and that the attitude of society is much more favorable to mothers than widows.
It is very important, and alarming, to know that every fifth single parent is faced with
situations of direct disapproval of the narrow or wider social environment. Such situations
included condemnation, ridicule, undercutting, and refusal to provide support (Raboteg-
Šarić and Pećnik, 2006).
Moms and Facing
Self-serving mothers are often less adapted and less satisfied with life than those in
family-owned families. Economic difficulties, unemployment and insufficient support or
understanding of relatives and friends, as well as the wider environment, are important.
Single parents are faced with more stressful life events (including divorce, partner deaths,
or extramarital pregnancy), increased demands for independent parenting, increased
51
economic pressure, greater difficulties in matching work and parental roles, and lower
level of perceived social support (Baker and North, 1999, Cakir, 2010, Golombok, 2004,
Hill, 2011, Lokshin, Mullan Harris and Popkin, 2000, Malik and Irshad, 2012, Miljević-
Riđički and Pavin Ivanec, 2008, Raymo and Zhou, 2012, Rios-Salas and Meyer, 2014).
Because of all this, it is important to address the issues of single parenting, the factors
affecting parents and children, as well as the practical problems encountered by such
families. In BiH, a number of NGOs are active in the form of help to single parents, whose
workforce may be of great help in their work. Such associations are a meeting place for
single parents where family members can exchange information and help and support
each other. Bearing in mind the effects of single parenting on the physical and mental
health of parents, social policy measures should be such as to provide different ways of
reducing the pressures and difficulties faced by single parents.
Widows and Parental Stress
Stress is defined as physical or mental tension induced by factors that change the existing
balance (Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, 1988, by Hudek Knežević and
Kardum, 2006). We can look at it in three ways - as an objective stimulus that triggers a
stressful response, as an answer to a body's inspiration, and in terms of the relationship
between the person and her environment. What's important in this research is that
numerous scientific researches have adversely affected the stresses of people's physical
and mental health. According to Dankić (2013). Research shows unambiguously that
psychosocial stress is a risk factor for the development of circulatory system disorders,
heart disease, immune system function disorders and autoimmune diseases such as
multiple sclerosis, type I diabetes, and asthma.
Parental stress can be defined very differently. The largest number of definitions relates
to the availability and perceived availability of resources pertaining to parenting
requirements. Profaca (2002, according to Delale, 2011) states that parental stress is a
reflexive psychological response to parenting needs and a complex process that links
parenting, behavior and psychological state of parents, the quality of parent-child
52
relationship, and the child's psychosocial adaptation. In addition, parental stress is
perceived by some authors as a parental perception of inadequate financial, physical and
social resources that would allow them to bear the consequences of key life situations or
as inability, inability to carry, adapt and function with upcoming life crises (Milić Babić,
2012). The research conducted by Quittner, Glueckauf and Jackson (1990) showed that
chronic parental stress is associated with a lower perception of emotional support and
higher symptoms of depression and anxiety.
The data available in the literature (Hildingsson and Thomas, 2014) indicate that parental
stress may be related to some of the child's characteristics such as eating and sleep
difficulties or the child's health condition, but also with a large number of parental
characteristics such as psychological problems, depression and other psychopathology,
limited emotional and economic resources, social isolation, and partner problems. The
research conducted by Pripp, Skreden, Skari, Malt and Emblem (2010) showed that self-
serving parenting and unemployment are significantly associated with higher levels of
parental stress, as well as dissatisfaction with parenting, low levels of social support, lack
of confidence and safety, and somatic health problems associated with exhaustion and
sleeping problems.
Considering the adverse impacts of parental stress on physical and mental health, Tsiouli,
Pavlopoulos, Alexopoulos, Chrousos and Darviri (2014) conducted a research aimed at
examining the effects of stress management programs on, inter alia, perceived stress,
parental stress and promotion healthy lifestyle. The stress management program included
progressive muscular relaxation in combination with diaphragmatic breathing. The results
showed a statistically significant reduction in perceived and parental stress and
improvements in a large number of other parameters in the parent group who went
through the program compared to the parent control group. Hudek-Knežević and Kardum
The research conducted by Quittner, Glueckauf and Jackson (1990) showed that chronic
parental stress is associated with a lower perception of emotional support and higher
symptoms of depression and anxiety.
The data available in the literature (Hildingsson and Thomas, 2014) indicate that parental
stress may be related to some of the child's characteristics such as eating and sleep
difficulties or the child's health condition, but also with a large number of parental
53
characteristics such as psychological problems, depression and other psychopathology,
limited emotional and economic resources, social isolation, and partner problems. The
research conducted by Pripp, Skreden, Skari, Malt and Emblem (2010) showed that self-
serving parenting and unemployment are significantly associated with higher levels of
parental stress, as well as dissatisfaction with parenting, low levels of social support, lack
of confidence and safety, and somatic health problems associated with exhaustion and
sleeping problems.
Considering the adverse impacts of parental stress on physical and mental health, Tsiouli,
Pavlopoulos, Alexopoulos, Chrousos and Darviri (2014) conducted a research aimed at
examining the effects of stress management programs on, inter alia, perceived stress,
parental stress and promotion healthy lifestyle. The stress management program included
progressive muscular relaxation in combination with diaphragmatic breathing. The results
showed a statistically significant reduction in perceived and parental stress and
improvements in a large number of other parameters in the parent group who went
through the program compared to the parent control group. Hudek-Knežević and Kardum
Perceived social support
Social support as an important function of interpersonal relationships, has intrigued many

authors and inspired them to research, and so many operationalizations of this concept
were created.
The most widely defined, social support refers to any process through which social
relationships can affect physical and / or mental health (Cohen, Underwood and Gottlieb,
2000; Hudek-Knežević and Kardum, 2006). One of the main reasons for such an interest
was the observation that social support has positive effects on the health and adaptation
of the individual and that people who live in marriage have friends and family members
who provide them with material and psychological support for better health than people
with fewer contacts and support (Cohen and Willis, 1985). As noted by Uchino (2009),
social support is one of the best-documented psychosocial factors affecting the physical
health. Epidemiological research shows that people reporting low levels of social support
54
have higher rates of mortality, especially those of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and
infectious diseases.
55
CONCLUSION
At the end it is important to prove that we have proven all our hypotheses and research
questions. Life has its stressors, specific events or chronic pressures that place demands
on a person or threaten the person's well-being Schacter et al; (2009),Furthermore, as the
authors state, , catastrophes are obvious sources of stressors, but for most of us, stressors
are personal events that affect the comfortable pattern of our lives and little annoyances
that bug us day after day and cause us to deal with stress. The most negative events in our
lives are the death of a loved one, divorce and getting fired Wrotman (1999)..
Furthermore, how well people manage stress depends not only on their internal stressors-
which are self induced and come from people's personal goals, expectations, standards,
perceptions and so on - but also on their external stressors - over which they do not have
control, and are forces from the outside world. The body and the mind both react to stress
(Schacter et al, 2009). The author claims that psychological costs of stress can be serious,
in some cases eventually leading to anxiety disorders or depression. Anxiety disorders
are a group of disorders in which anxiety is the predominant disturbance or is experienced
confronting a dread object or situation or in resisting obsessions or compulsions
(VandenBos, 2007). According to the same author depression is defined as a dysphoria
that can vary in severity from a fluctuation in normal mood to an extreme feeling of
sadness, pessimism, and despondency.
There are more widows than a widowers. The reason for that is that women tend to live
longer than men, and tend to be younger than their husbands (O’Bryant and Straw, 1991).
Because of differences in longevity, and in part because women tend to marry older men,
women are far more likely to be widowed then men (World Health Organization, 2002).
For women, widowhood starts earlier and lasts longer than for men (Barer, 1994). The
average length of widowhood for women is 15 years (Carstensen and Pasupathi, 1993).
The statistics of the „Agency of Statistic of Bosnia and Herzegovina„ state that from war
in this area, there were between 100,000 and 110,000 victims. 89% of all victims were
men, while women accounted for 10% of victims (Burg and Shoup, 1999).
Coping strategy intentionally engage in activities addressing the problem, which includes
diminishing negative affect. Defense mechanisms also function to diminish negative
effects, but they do so without the conscious intent of awareness of the person (Aldwin
56
et al, 1996). In addition, coping strategies sometimes address the problem by acting
directly on the problematic situation. Thereby reducing negative affect, whereas defenses
focused on changing internal states (negative affect) rather than external reality (Watson
and Hubbard, 1996).
To study any phenomena scientists usually advocate for combination of qualitative and
quantitative analysis in order to gain better insight and understanding of the phenomena.
Qualitative research is an approach to science that does not employ quantification
(expression in numerical form) of the observations made (VandenBos, 2007). , data that
are not expressed numerically, such as descriptions of behavior and experience and they
can often be expressed quantitatively.
recruited. Data analysis showed that the biggest number of widows are the age of between
50 and 50 years old, in other words 24% of total respondents. This section can be
explained as a large number of female war-widows, with marital status lasting of more
than 20 years old. Then, 22.1% of the respondents are older than 60 years, furthermore
respondenets of 40 and 50 years old, 20.2% of them, 17.3% of the age between 30 and
40, and at the very least respondents have a minimum of 30 years of age, all 13,%. A
graphical representation of the structure of the answer is presented on the graphic display.
57
circle.
58
statistical difference between the tested samples. War widows are often struggling to live
further with the problems they encounter, while pos-twar widows struggle sometimes.
The T test shows that there is a significant statistical difference between war and post-
war widows. Data analysis using Spiman Ro correlation shows that there is a negative
correlation between the length of time spent as widows and distrust towards doctors. It
can be concluded that widows who spend a long time without a husband have more
confidence in doctors than those who have a lower period without a husband.
The procedure in conducting this study is planned in the following manner. Researcher
contacted Health Center in Vogosca where significant number of widows in Sarajevo
receive medical health care, to help her recruit participants. Researcher will also use
snowball sampling technique based on personal and family contacts to recruit as much as
possible participants. Reasercher will explain to the participants about the purpose of the
study, privacy and ethical rules and ask them to voluntarily participate. Only participants
who agree to volunteer in the study will be distributed above mentioned questionnaire
59
which will have clear stated study purpose and sign the agreement form. All completed
questionnaires will be then collected by a researcher, entered into SPSS (Statistical
Package for Social Sciences) for Windows 21.0 and analyzed.
Based on socio demographic variables and expected differences in the, we also expect to
find find differences in coping strategies and defense mechanisms are used by war-
widows and non war- widows.
60
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68
APPENDIX
Questionar
Poštovani,
Kandidatkinja za magistarski rad sa odsjeka za Umjetnost i Drušvene Nauke

Internacionalnog Univerziteta u Sarajevu provodi opsežno istraživanje stresa i
mehanizama odbrane kod žena u BiH.
Vaše nam je iskustvo i mišljenje dragocjeno i svojim biste nam sudjelovanjem

pomogli u prikupljanju vrijednih podataka. Stoga Vas molimo da što iskrenije odgovorite
na sljedeća pitanja. Istraživanje je anonimno, a podaci će biti korišteni isključivo u
znanstvene svrhe.
Unaprijed Vam zahvaljujemo na suradnji!
69
SOCIODEMOGRAFSKI PODACI
Molim Vas da odgovorite na slijedeća pitanja.
PITANJA ODGOVORI
1. Koliko imate godina?
Poslije ratna
2. Da li ste: Ratna udovica
udovica
3. Da li ste: Zaposleni Nezaposleni
OSS (Osnovna SSS (Srednja VSS (Visoka

4. Vaša stručna sprema: stručna stručna stručna
sprema) sprema) sprema)
5. Da li imate djece? DA
NE
6. Ukoliko je Vaš odgovor "DA",

navedite broj djece.
7. Ukoliko imate djece, koliko godina

imaju?
8. Koliko dugo ste bili u braku?
9. Koliko dugo ste već udovica?
10. Da li krivite nekoga za smrt Vašeg

DA NE
supruga?
11. Ako je Vaš odgovor "DA", molim

Vas da navedete koga?
12. Da li ste imali neku vrstu podrške? DA NE
13. Ako je Vaš odgovor "DA", molim

Vas da navedete koga? (Prijatelje,
porodicu, udruženja, država -
finansijska pomoć)
14. Molim Vas navedite ko Vam je bio

najveća podrška nakon gubitka
supruga, a ko Vam je sad?
70
UPITNIK SUOČAVANJA SA STRESOM
U ovom upitniku se nalazi niz tvrdnji koje opisuju različita ponašanja i razmišljanja.
Pročitajte pažljivo svaku tvrdnju i zaokružite broj na skali procjene koji odgovara
Vašem mišljenju. Ti brojevi imaju slijedeće značenje:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Niti se slažem, niti se ne

Uopće se NE slažem U potpunosti se slažem
slažem
Red.
TVRDNJE SKALA PROCJENE
broj
Pričinjava mi zadovoljstvo pomagati drugima

1. i ako mi se to onemogući mogu postati 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
depresivna.
Mogu odgoditi razmišljanje o nekom

2. problemu dok ne nađem vremena suočiti se s 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
njim.
Rješavam se tjeskobe radeći nešto

3. konstruktivno i kreativno poput slikanja, 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
pisanja, obrade drva i sl.
4. Nalazim dobre razloge za sve što radim. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
5. Mogu se poprilično lako nasmijati sebi. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
Ljudi teže tome da se loše odnose prema

6. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
meni.
Ako bi me neko napao i ukrao mi novac, više

7. bih voljela da mu se pomogne nego da bude 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
kažnjen.
Ljudi kažu da često ignoriše, neugodne

8. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
činjenice kao da ne postoje.
71
9. Ignorišem opasnosti kao da sam Superman. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
Ponosim se svojo sposobnošću da pokažem

10. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
ljudima gdje im je mjesto.
Često reagujem impulzivno kada mi nešto

11. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
smeta.
Razbolim se kada mi stvari u životu krenu

12. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
naopako.
13. Vrlo sam povučena osoba. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
Više zadovoljstva mi pružaju moja maštanja

14. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
nego moj stvarni život.
Imam posebne talente koji mi omogućavaju

15. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
da idem kroz život bez poteškoća.
Uvijek postoje dobri razlozi kada stvari ne idu

16. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
po mome.
Više stvari riješim u svojim maštanjima negoli

17. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
u stvarnom životu.
18. Ničega se ne bojim. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
Ponekad za sebe mislim da sam kao anđeo, a

19. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
ponekad da sam pravi đavo.
Postanem otvoreno agresivna kada se

20. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
osjećam povrijeđeno.
Uvijek osjećam da je neko koga poznajem

21. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
poput mog anđela čuvara.
22. Po mom mišljenju ljudi su ili dobri ili loši. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
Ako bi me moj šef naživcirao, namjerno bih

23. griješila na poslu ili bih radila sporije samo da 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
mu se osvetim.
Postoji osoba koju znam, a koja može

24. napraviti sve i apsolutno je pravedna i 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
poštena.
Mogu prikrivati svoje osjećaje ako bi njihovo

25. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
pokazivanje uticalo na ono što radim.
72
Obično mogu uvidjeti ljepšu stranu inače
26. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
bolne situacije.
Dobijem glavobolju kada moram raditi nešto

27. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
što ne volim.
Često primjećujem da sam ljubazna prema

28. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
ljudima na koje bih se trebala ljutiti.
29. Sigurna sam da izvlačim deblji kraj u životu. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
Kada se u životu moram suočiti s teškom

situacijom pokušavam zamisliti kako će to
30. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
izgledati i planirati načine na koje ću se suočiti
s tom situacijom.
31. Ljekari zapravo nikad ne razumiju šta mi je. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
Kad se borim za svoja prava, imam potrebu

32. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
izviniti se zbog toga.
Kada sam depresivna ili tjeskobna, hrana mi

33. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
pomogne da se osjećam bolje.
Često mi kažu da ne pokazujem svoje

34. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
osjećaje.
Ako unaprijed predvidim da ću se rastužiti,

35. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
bolje se nositi s time.
Bez obzira na to koliko se žalim, nikad ne

36. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
dobijem zadovoljavajući odgovor.
Često primjetim da ne osjećam ništa kada se

37. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
čini da situacija zahtijeva jake emocije.
Ustrajanje na zadatku štiti me od osjećaja

38. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
tjeskobe ili depresije.
Kad bi se našla u krizi, potražila bih druge

39. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
osobe koje imaju isti problem.
Ako imam agresivne misli, osjećam potrebu

40. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
učiniti nešto što bi ih zamijenilo.
73
SKALA ODBRAMBENIH MEHANIZAMA
Na svaku tvrdnju odgovorite tako da zaokružite jedan od pet predviđenih odgovora.
Molimo vas da odgovorite na svaku tvrdnju posebno, nezavisno od bilo koje druge
tvrdnje u upitniku. Neke tvrdnje su slične, pa ipak odgovorite na svaku od njih.
Ovdje nema «dobrih» i «loših» odgovora. Zato odaberite onaj koji je za Vas najtačniji,
a ne onaj koji je po Vašem mišljenju tačan za «većinu ljudi».
OZNAČITE ŠTO VI OBIČNO ČINITE I PROŽIVLJATE U KONFLIKTNIM STRESNIM

SITUACIJAMA!!!!!
Pri tome brojevi znače slijedeće:
0 – NIKADA se tako ne ponašam
1 – KATKADA se tako ponašam
2 – OBIČNO se tako ponašam
3 – ČESTO se tako ponašam
4 – UVIJEK se tako ponašam
Red.
TVRDNJE SKALA PROCJENE
Broj
1. Takve situacije nastojim iskoristiti kao vrijedna životna iskustva. 0 1 2 3 4
2. Uznemiren/a sam i otvoreno iskazujem svoje osjećaje. 0 1 2 3 4
3. Obraćam se nekome za savjet o tome što da radim. 0 1 2 3 4
Svom snagom pokušavam učiniti nešto u vezi s tim

4. 0 1 2 3 4
problemima.
5. Sam/a sebe uvjeravam sa to nije istina, da to nije moguće. 0 1 2 3 4
6. Uzdam se u Boga. 0 1 2 3 4
7. Nastojim pronaći šaljivu stranu takvih situacija. 0 1 2 3 4
74
8. Priznajem si da to ne mogu riješiti, pa prestajem pokušavati. 0 1 2 3 4
9. Trudim se da ne reagujem prebrzo. 0 1 2 3 4
10. Razgovaram sa nekim o svojim osjećajima. 0 1 2 3 4
Popijem alkoholno piće, pilule za smirenje ili uzmem drogu

11. 0 1 2 3 4
kako bih se bolje osjećao/la.
12. Pokušavam se priviknuti na nastale situacije. 0 1 2 3 4
13. Razgovaram sa nekim kako bih se bolje snašao/la. 0 1 2 3 4
Nastojim da me ne ometaju misli i aktivnosti koje nisu u vezi s

14. 0 1 2 3 4
tim situacijama.
15. Maštam o drugim stvarima. 0 1 2 3 4
16. Nadam se božijoj pomoći. 0 1 2 3 4
Planiram različite postupke kojima bih uspio/la riješiti te

17. 0 1 2 3 4
probleme.
Prihvatam da se to dogodilo ( događa) i da se ne može

18. 0 1 2 3 4
promijeniti.
19. Ne činim ništa dok to situacije ne dozvole. 0 1 2 3 4
20. Pokušavam dobiti emocionalnu podršku od rodbine i prijatelja. 0 1 2 3 4
21. Jednostavno odustajem od pokušaja da ostvarim svoje ciljeve. 0 1 2 3 4
22. Probleme pokušavam riješiti na druge načine. 0 1 2 3 4
Pokušavam se opustiti pa popijem piće, neku pilulu za smirenje

23. 0 1 2 3 4
ili uzmem drogu.
24. Jednostavno odbijam vjerovati da se to dogodilo 0 1 2 3 4
25. Otvoreno iskazujem svoja osjećanja. 0 1 2 3 4
Pokušavam takve događaje sagledati u drugom svjetlu i učiniti

26. 0 1 2 3 4
da izgledaju povoljnije.
Pokušavam smisliti kako se ti problemi mogu riješiti na druge

27. 0 1 2 3 4
načine.
Koncentrišem se na rješavanje tih problema i, ako je to

28. 0 1 2 3 4
potrebno, druge stvari ostavljam po strani.
29. Tražim od nekog saosjećanje i razumijevanje. 0 1 2 3 4
75
Pijem alkohol, uzimam pilule za smirenje ili drogu kako bih o
30. 0 1 2 3 4
tim situacijama što manje razmišljao/la.
31. Šalim se na račun toga. 0 1 2 3 4
32. Odustajem od pokušaja da postignem ono što želim. 0 1 2 3 4
33. Pokušavam sagledati bolju stranu takvih situacija. 0 1 2 3 4
34. Razmišljam kako na najbolji način mogu riješiti te probleme. 0 1 2 3 4
35. Pravim se kao da se ništa nije dogodilo. 0 1 2 3 4
36. Ne reagujem prenaglo da probleme još više ne otežam. 0 1 2 3 4
Trudim se da me druge stvari ne ometaju pri rješavanju tih

37. 0 1 2 3 4
problema.
Idem u kino ili gledam TV kako bih što manje o tome

38. 0 1 2 3 4
razmišljao/la.
39. Prihvatam realnosti takvih situacija. 0 1 2 3 4
Pitam ljude sa sličnim iskustvima šta bi oni u takvim situacijama

40. 0 1 2 3 4
učinili.
41. Teško mi je i to jasno pokazujem. 0 1 2 3 4
42. Utjehu pronalazim u religiji. 0 1 2 3 4
43. Čekam pravi trenutak da nešto u vezi s tim problemom uradim. 0 1 2 3 4
44. Ismijavam te situacije. 0 1 2 3 4
45. Sve se manje trudim oko rješavanja tih problema. 0 1 2 3 4
46. Pričam s nekim ljudima o tome kako se osjećam. 0 1 2 3 4
Posežem za alkoholom, pilulama ili drogom koje mi pomažu da

47. 0 1 2 3 4
prebrodim te probleme.
48. Učim se živjeti sa tim problemima. 0 1 2 3 4
Ostavljam po strani sve druge aktivnosti i usmjeravam se na te

49. 0 1 2 3 4
probleme.
Razmišljam o koracima koje valja poduzeti kako bi se ti

50. 0 1 2 3 4
problemi riješili.
51. Ponašam se kao da se to nije ni dogodilo. 0 1 2 3 4
76
Postepeno radim ono što mislim da treba učiniti u vezi s tim
52. 0 1 2 3 4
problemima.
53. Učim iz iskustva. 0 1 2 3 4
54. Molim se Bogu više nego obično. 0 1 2 3 4
55. Pojačano se bavim fizičkim aktivnostima. 0 1 2 3 4
56. Ulažem dodatni napor da riješim te probleme. 0 1 2 3 4
57. Glumim sigurnost i smirenost. 0 1 2 3 4
58. Povlačim se u sebe. 0 1 2 3 4
59. Tražim novi izlaz iz tih problema. 0 1 2 3 4
60. Suzdržavam svoje osjećaje. 0 1 2 3 4
Izbjegavam društvo i razgovore kako bih razmislio/la o tom

61. 0 1 2 3 4
problemu.
62. Želim biti sam/a. 0 1 2 3 4
63. Pitam ljude što bi učinili na mome mjestu. 0 1 2 3 4
64. Pušim više nego obično ne bih li se smirio/la. 0 1 2 3 4
65. Radim sve samo da ne razmišljam o tom problemu. 0 1 2 3 4
66. Bavim se bilo kakvim aktivnostima samo da bih se rastresao/la. 0 1 2 3 4
67. Skrivam svoje osjećaje. 0 1 2 3 4
68. Pravim se kao da mi sve to ništa ne znači. 0 1 2 3 4
69. Šetam po svježem zraku. 0 1 2 3 4
70. Izbjegavam kontakte s drugim ljudima. 0 1 2 3 4
71. Nadam se da će neko drugi riješiti tu situaciju. 0 1 2 3 4
77
Biography of candidate
78
LISTS
List of tabeles
Tablica 1. Age structure ............................................................................................................ 17

Tablica 2. The time since the respondent became a widow .................................................... 18
Tablica 3. Working status of the respondent ........................................................................... 19
Tablica 4. Education structure ................................................................................................. 20
Tablica 5. Parental status .......................................................................................................... 22
Tablica 6. Marriage duration.................................................................................................... 23
Tablica 7. Time spent as a widow ............................................................................................. 24
Tablica 8. Having the culprit for the status ............................................................................. 25
Tablica 9. Support for the widows ............................................................................................ 26
Tablica 10. Dealing with stress- Part I ..................................................................................... 28
Tablica 11. Dealing with stress- Part II.................................................................................... 29
Tablica 12. Dealing with stress- Part III ..................................................................................... 31
Tablica 13. Dealing with stress- Part IV ..................................................................................... 32
Tablica 14. Dealing with stress- Part V ...................................................................................... 34
Tablica 15. Reactions in conflicts- Part I .................................................................................... 35
Tablica 16. Reactions in conflicts- Part II ................................................................................... 36
Tablica 17. Reactions in conflicts- Part III ................................................................................. 38
Tablica 18. Reactions in conflicts- Part IV ................................................................................. 39
Tablica 19. Reactions in conflicts- Part V................................................................................... 41
Tablica 20. Reactions in conflicts- Part VI ................................................................................. 42
Tablica 21. Spearman Rho correlatetion of time spent as widow and delaying thinking about the
problem ....................................................................................................................................... 43
Tablica 22. Spirman Ro correlation in time spent as a widow and solving anxiety by
constructive work ........................................................................................................................ 44
Tablica 23. Spirman Ro correlation in time as a widow and post-war widow............................ 45
Tablica 24. Spirman Ro correlation of time spent as a widow and fear..................................... 45
Tablica 25. Spirman Ro correlation is carried out as a widow and a misunderstanding of doctors
..................................................................................................................................................... 46
79
List of pictures
Figure 1. The time since the respondent became a widow .......................................................... 18

Figure 2. Working status of the respondent ................................................................................. 19
Figure 3. Education structure....................................................................................................... 20
Figure 4. Parental status............................................................................................................... 21
Figure 5. Marriage duration ......................................................................................................... 22
Figure 6. Time spent as a widow ................................................................................................. 24
Figure 7. Having the culprit for the status ................................................................................... 25
Figure 8. Support for the widows ................................................................................................ 26
Figure 9. Dealing with stress- Part one........................................................................................ 27
80
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I thank my esteemed mentor, Professor. Dr.________________, without whose guidance

this work would not be possible. Also, I thank all those who contributed to this work to
be completed and that there would be a lot of quality information and facts. I hope that
future readers will find in this paper, many interesting things and that they will ease
themselves future studies of this topic.
81

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DEFENSE MECHANISMS AND COPING STRATEGIES

AMONG WIDOWS IN SARAJEVO

Coping strategies and defense mechanisms

If the purpose of coping mechanisms is to:

(1) decrease negative affect,

According to Cramar (2006), the concept of defense mechanisms was originally

Level I – pathological defenses (psychotic denial, delusional projection)

Purpose of the research

In this study, next to socio-demographic questionnaire (age, widowhood length, level of

The Socio-demographic questionnaire will consist of items such as age, widowhood

COPE is developed by Carver, Scheier & Weintraub, 1989. It is a 60 - item index of

Procedure and Research Design

In the professional literature, it is particularly emphasized that divorced parents are

Stress, social support, depression and physical health

Tablica 1. Age structure

Kojoj starosnoj skupini pripadate

Tablica 2. The time since the respondent became a widow

Figure 2. Working status of the respondent

Tablica 3. Working status of the respondent

Figure 3. Education structure

Tablica 4. Education structure

Vaša stručna sprema

Figure 4. Parental status

Figure 5. Marriage duration

Koliko godina ste bili u braku?

Tablica 7. Time spent as a widow

Koliko dugo ste već udovica?

Figure 7. Having the culprit for the status

Tablica 8. Having the culprit for the status

Da li krivite nekoga za smrt svog supruga?

Figure 8. Support for the widows

Tablica 9. Support for the widows

Da li imate neku vrstu podrke?

Figure 9. Dealing with stress- Part one

Tablica 11. Dealing with stress- Part II

Tablica 13. Dealing with stress- Part IV

Tablica 15. Reactions in conflicts- Part I

Tablica 16. Reactions in conflicts- Part II

Tablica 18. Reactions in conflicts- Part IV

Tablica 20. Reactions in conflicts- Part VI

Tablica 24. Spirman Ro correlation of time spent as a widow and fear

Tablica 25. Spirman Ro correlation is carried out as a widow and a misunderstanding of

Widows and self-help parenting

Overview of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Moms and Facing

Widows and Parental Stress

Perceived social support

Social support as an important function of interpersonal relationships, has intrigued many

1. Abidin, R. R., & Abidin, R. R. (1990). Parenting Stress Index (PSI).

Kandidatkinja za magistarski rad sa odsjeka za Umjetnost i Drušvene Nauke

Vaše nam je iskustvo i mišljenje dragocjeno i svojim biste nam sudjelovanjem

Unaprijed Vam zahvaljujemo na suradnji!

1. Koliko imate godina?

3. Da li ste: Zaposleni Nezaposleni

OSS (Osnovna SSS (Srednja VSS (Visoka

6. Ukoliko je Vaš odgovor "DA",

7. Ukoliko imate djece, koliko godina

8. Koliko dugo ste bili u braku?

9. Koliko dugo ste već udovica?

10. Da li krivite nekoga za smrt Vašeg

11. Ako je Vaš odgovor "DA", molim

12. Da li ste imali neku vrstu podrške? DA NE

13. Ako je Vaš odgovor "DA", molim

14. Molim Vas navedite ko Vam je bio