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There is limited evidence on the coping strategies of conflict-affected civilians in low and middle income countries. The aim of this paper is to explore the coping strategies used by women internally displaced within the Republic of Georgia due to the Russo-Georgian war in 2008. We use a five-fold coping typology to examine coping strategies in the accounts of 42 Georgian women residing in internally-displaced persons settlements. Semi-structured interviews were conducted during fieldwork in Georgia from December 2012 to February 2013. Problem solving and support seeking behaviours emerged as the most-commonly-used strategies. The findings suggest interventions fostering sustainable livelihoods and robust social networks are needed to utilise the coping strategies commonly used by internally displaced women in Georgia.

International research, which focuses on frequent users of the psychiatric services and on the psychosocial factors that are associated with frequent rehospitalization, emphasize that the problem of revolving door patient still stands and is severe. Research concerning the above mentioned issue has not been conducted in Georgia, therefore, this study aimed to explore the revolving door patients and psychosocial factors that contribute to their relapse and frequent readmission to acute psychiatric unit. Study was conducted at psychiatric department of Ghudushauri National Medical Center. Qualitative and quantitative analysis based on medical files of 34 adult patients with psychotic disorders, rehospitalized in acute psychiatric unit 60 days after their last discharge in 2012–2014 years, was conducted. Results of the study are in line with international research findings concerning the psychosocial factors that contribute to frequent rehospitalization of patients with psychotic disorders, such as: unemployment (97%), lack of support system (76,5%), non-compliance with treatment (91.2%), emotional reactivity to stressful life events, etc. However, according to the study, family atmosphere turned out to be the central problem which influences the index of conflict and expressed aggression in the family, has impact on the size of patient's support system, on substance abuse, on patient's relapse and on their emergency rehospitalization. According to the results of the study, family atmosphere is one of the most active and multifaceted factors that contribute to patient's relapse and frequent rehospitalization in Georgia. Therefore, implementing and developing interventions discussed in the research paper that will target this factor is essential.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Current research presents five case studies of maternal neonaticide in Georgia. Participants were under the age of thirty, with incomplete secondary education, unemployed, dependent on their families’ low income, living in the rural areas of Georgia. In three cases, participants resided with their family of origin. They were not married or in a relationship with the father of the child. They described their families and communities as conservative, holding strong cultural/religious beliefs against premarital sexual relations/childbirth out of wedlock. They lacked problem solving and coping skills, avoided making decisions concerning the pregnancy by concealing it. This being their first pregnancy, they gave birth alone followed by panic and fear of detection, committed neonaticide and hid the body of the infant. None of them had a prior criminal record. In the remaining cases, participants were married, lived with their spouses and children, had financial hardships. Both reported psychological and physical abuse from their spouses. One of them had a prior criminal offense for possessing controlled substances. The motive for neonaticide was an unwanted child due to an extramarital affair and threat of financial abandonment from extended family. In both cases, infants suffered fatal injuries. All participants reported lack of social support and emotional neglect from family members. These results are in line with international research, suggesting that certain patterns among these mothers are shared. Psychosocial factors associated with neonaticide should be utilized in the process of planning and implementing preventive strategies in health, social and legal frameworks.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.

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