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Comparing Perceived Self-Efficacy Among Adolescent Bosnian and Croatian Refugees with and Without Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

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Journal of Traumatic Stress

Abstract

To examine the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and perceived self-efficacy (PSE), 98 Bosnian and Croatian refugees, ages 13–18, completed Bandura's Children's Multidimensional Scales of Perceived Self-Efficacy, which measure self-predicted social functioning in 9 areas. Through interviews, participants were categorized according to DSM–IV criteria as traumatized PTSD-positive, traumatized PTSD-negative, and nontraumatized. ANCOVAs showed PTSD-positive participants exhibit higher PSE than nontraumatized participants in 5 of 9 areas. No significant differences among 3 female groups were observed; however, nontraumatized boys demonstrated lower PSE than the 2 traumatized groups in 7 of 9 areas. Thus, PTSD did not have a negative impact on PSE in this cultural context. Furthermore, surviving traumatic experience and preserving social support networks may be protective factors for maintaining high levels of PSE.

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Ferren, P.M. Comparing Perceived Self-Efficacy Among Adolescent Bosnian and Croatian Refugees with and Without Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. J Trauma Stress 12, 405–420 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024749118463

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024749118463

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