Locus of Control Orientation and Acceptance of Disability

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if differences existed in acceptance of disability scores between individuals with internal locus of control and external locus of control orientations. Ninety-seven out of 200 randomly-chosen participants with disabilities from a southern California community college completed the Reactions to Impairment and Disability Inventory (RIDI), Rotter's I-E Locus of Control Scale, and a demographic profile sheet. Acceptance of disability was defined as both acknowledgment and adjustment to a disability. Adjustment scores were found to be higher among those with an internal locus of control orientation but only among participants with mental/psychiatric disabilities. Also, differences in adjustment scores were found to be influenced by the domain of locus of control items. Implications for theory and research are briefly suggested.