J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2003 Mar;32(1):106-17. doi: 10.1207/S15374424JCCP3201_10.

Social self-efficacy and behavior problems in maltreated and nonmaltreated children.

Journal of clinical child and adolescent psychology : the official journal for the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, American Psychological Association, Division 53

Jungmeen Kim, Dante Cicchetti

PMID: 12573936 DOI: 10.1207/S15374424JCCP3201_10

Abstract

Investigated the relations among child maltreatment, children's social self-efficacy, and behavioral adjustment. Data were collected on 305 maltreated and 195 non-maltreated children from low-income families (ages 5 to 12 years) who were assessed on perceived social self-efficacy and evaluated by camp counselors on internalizing and externalizing symptomatology. Younger (< 8 years) maltreated children exhibited inflated levels of perceived self-efficacy in confictual peer interactions compared to younger nonmaltreated children. Younger maltreated children with higher levels of social self-efficacy showed significantly less internalizing behaviors compared to younger maltreated children with lower levels of social self-efficacy. For older children (> 8 years), regardless of maltreatment status, higher levels of perceived social self-efficacy in conflict situations were related to lower levels of internalizing symptomatology. The results are discussed as suggestive of the role of children's social self-efficacy as a protective factor in the link between maltreatment and internalizing symptomatology.

MeSH terms

• Adaptation, Psychological*
• Child
• Child Abuse / psychology
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Personality
• Risk Factors
• Self Efficacy*
• Social Behavior*

Publication Types

• Journal Article
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't