Research Article
Comparing perceived self-efficacy among adolescent Bosnian and Croatian refugees with and without posttraumatic stress disorder
Peter M. Ferren,
Corresponding Author
Peter M. Ferren
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
3131 N. Druid Hills Rd. #6010 Decatur, GA 30033Search for more papers by this authorPeter M. Ferren,
Corresponding Author
Peter M. Ferren
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
3131 N. Druid Hills Rd. #6010 Decatur, GA 30033Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
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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