A Preliminary Examination of Trauma History, Locus of Control, and PTSD Symptom Severity in African American Women
Abstract
Prior research has established a relationship between external locus of control and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity among Caucasians. There is also evidence that African Americans tend to exhibit an elevated external locus of control. However, the relationship between external control and PTSD symptom severity has not been examined among African American women. Using a sample of African American adult female volunteers who self-reported a history of child abuse and/or sexual or physical assault in adulthood, the present study sought to examine the relationships between trauma history, locus of control, and PTSD symptom severity. Participants in the child/adult trauma group reported fewer PTSD symptoms than those with a history of adult trauma only. Contrary to expectations, however, trauma history was not related to locus of control in this sample of African American women. It is possible that factors associated with African American socialization may serve as a buffer to the development or maintenance of PTSD.
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The PDS subscales have good test-retest and internal consistency reliability, with Cronbach's αs ranging from .77 to .92, including among African American samples.
“The subscales have good test-retest and internal consistency reliability, with Cronbach ' s α s ranging from .77 to .92, including among African American samples (Hood & Carter, 2008).”
From Childhood Physical Abuse and Antisocial Traits: Mediating Role of Posttraumatic Stress Symptom Clusters (2022) · cites this paper as Hood & Carter, 2008
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- Authors
- Hood, S. K., & Carter, M. M.
- Affiliations
- American University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Carter, Michele M.
- Venue
- Journal of Black Psychology
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2008-05
- Volume
- 34
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 179-191
- ISSN
- 0095-7984 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-4558
- OpenAlex
- W2139084640
- Cited by
- 18
- References
- 32
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 2 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 1.86
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Black Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Migration, Health and Trauma
- Keywords
- post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD symptom severity, locus of control, external locus of control, African American women, trauma history, child abuse, sexual assault, physical assault, adult trauma
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