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.

posttraumatic stress disorder Refugees self-efficacy Bosnia Adolescents

rating scale refugee Croatia Adolescent Psychology human Refugees war Survivors controlled study Bosnia and Herzegovina social interaction social support Self Efficacy Bosnia-Herzegovina Humans Adolescent male female Article Questionnaires major clinical study adult posttraumatic stress disorder Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Sex Distribution Case-Control Studies Analysis of Variance