The Role of Child's Self-efficacy in the Relationship between Childhood Traumatic Events and Psychosomatic Complaints

Abstract

Mental health problems sometimes manifest themselves in the form of physical problems and psychosomatic complaints. Moreover, these symptoms can become chronic and cause more problems in the future if not identified and treated in time. This study investigated the role of child’s self-efficacy in the relationship between childhood traumatic events and the incidence of psychosomatic complaints. The population included all 10-14 years old boys of Tehran city. A sample of 215 boys was made by convenience sampling method. The participants were selected from fifth and sixth grades of two all-boys elementary schools at 11th and 18th districts in Tehran. Research questionnaires include the following: The Self-Efficacy Questionnaire-Children (Morris), the Lifetime Incidence of Traumatic Events (Greenwald and Rubin) and the Psychosomatic Complaints Scale (Takata and Sakata). Data were analyzed by mediator and moderator analysis. Results showed that the children’s self-efficacy variable was not a moderator between the traumatic events and the occurrence of psychosomatic complaints, but it was a mediator. Therefore, treatments aimed to reduce psychosomatic complaints and treat traumatized children, should include self-efficacy promotion in their agenda.

Keywords

• children
• psychosomatic complaints
• self-efficacy
• traumatic events