1. External locus-of-control partially mediates the association between cumulative trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress symptoms among adolescents from diverse background.
- Author
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Atilola, Olayinka, Stevanovic, Dejan, Moreira, Paulo, Dodig-Ćurković, Katarina, Franic, Tomislav, Djoric, Ana, Davidovic, Nikolina, Avicenna, Mohamad, Noor, Isa Multazam, Monteiro, Antonio Luis, Ribas, Adriana, Stupar, Dusko, Deljkovic, Azra, Nussbaum, Laura, Thabet, Abdelazeez, Ubalde, Dino, Petrov, Petar, Vostanis, Panos, and Knez, Rajna
- Subjects
POST-traumatic stress ,TEENAGERS ,SYMPTOMS ,LIFE change events ,TEENAGE boys - Abstract
Locus of control (LOC) is a modifiable mediator of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among traumatized individuals and a potential target of intervention. Compared with studies involving adults, the potential mediation effect of LOC on PTSD symptoms among trauma-exposed children and adolescents is relatively under-explored. This study, therefore, assessed the mediation effects of LOC on the association between lifetime cumulative trauma and PTSD symptoms among a large cohort of adolescents from different cultural background. Cross-sectional study. LOC was determined using the Multi-Dimension Locus of Control Scale; Posttraumatic stress symptoms using the UCLA PTSD Reaction Index; and other significant negative life events using the Life Events Checklist. Among 3826 adolescents who completed the study, external LOC explained 24% of variance (R
2 =.24; F2,3823 = 619.01; p <.01) in PTSD symptoms and had significant indirect effect on the relationship between self-reported cumulative traumatic event exposure and PTSD symptoms (ß =.14; 95% BC CI [.10,.20]). Moderated mediation results showed significant potentiation of the moderation effects among older adolescents; boys; and those from more affluent families. The study further strengthened the hitherto limited evidence that external LOC partially mediate the relationship between cumulative trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2021
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