Measurement of post-war coping and stress responses: A study of Bosnian adolescents

We evaluated the psychometric properties of the Responses to Stress Questionnaire (RSQ; Connor-Smith, Compas, Saltzman, Thomsen, & Wadsworth, 2000) in a sample of Bosnian youth (N = 665; age = 15 to 20 years) five years post-war. Participants reported on their coping and involuntary responses to post-war stressors including trauma reminders, loss reminders, and family conflict. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a four-factor model comprised of primary control engagement coping, secondary control engagement coping, disengagement coping, and involuntary stress responses. Results support the reliability and validity of the RSQ to adolescents growing up in stressful post-war contexts.

► We tested a model of coping and involuntary stress responses in post-war Bosnian youth.
► We tested this model in relation to common post-war stressors including trauma reminders, loss reminders, and family conflict.
► We found support for our overall theoretical model with some changes in the measurement of involuntary stress responses.
► This study supports the use of the Responses to Stress Questionnaire for measurement of coping responses in Bosnian youth.