A Comparative Analysis of the Self-Concept of Traumatized Youth With and Without Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Relative to Nontraumatized Controls

This study compared the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale 2 (PH-2) scores of traumatized youth with and without PTSD and a non-traumatized control group. A total of 142 cases were examined following referral to an inner city hospital setting. The study excluded youth abused by a parent or guardian, youth with engaged in ongoing court proceedings, youth with medical histories positive for significant head traumas, psychotic symptoms, and those receiving medication that could influence cognitive functioning. In order to increase the external validity of the study, youth with PTSD and comorbid major depression, conduct disorder and/or substance abuse/dependence were included. An analysis of variance was used to assess group differences across PH-2 total scores. The PTSD group evidenced significantly lower total self-concept as compared to both the traumatized PTSD negative and control groups and the traumatized PTSD negative and control groups did not significantly differ on the total scale. A MANOVA, followed by univariate F tests and Bonferroni post hoc tests, was performed to test for group differences on the PH-2 subscales. The PTSD group had significantly lower PH-2 scores on the Behavioral Adjustment, Intellectual and School Status, Freedom from Distractibility, Popularity and Happiness subscales as compared to the traumatized PTSD negative group. The trauma-exposed groups did not significantly differ on the Physical Appearance subscale. The PTSD group had significantly lower scores on the Behavioral Adjustment, Intellectual and School Status, Freedom from Anxiety and Happiness and Satisfaction subscales relative to the control group. Non-significant differences were observed on the Physical Appearance and Attributes and Popularity subscales of the PTSD and control groups. Finally, the Behavioral Adjustment subscale scores of the traumatized PTSD negative group were significantly lower than the scores of the control group. All of the remaining subscale comparisons involving traumatized PTSD negatives and controls were non-significant.