Influence of Locus of Control and Custody Level on Intake and Prison-Adjustment Depression

Abstract

This study examines differences in initial and later depressive symptoms of 325 male prisoners based on three levels of custody and four levels of locus of control. Results extend previous findings concerning locus of control and prison-intake depression by including a measure of types of custody and later adjustment depression. Significant differences emerged for both groups with high internal and external locus of control orientations. The highly internal group was the least depressed at both testings. High externals showed a significant increase in reported depression after a period of adjustment to prison and were the only group with a significant reactive depression. There were no differences in depressive severity based on level of custody or its interaction with control orientation. Finally, depression scores that were initially at either extreme declined so that later, adjustment depression scores fell in the mild and moderate range.