Perceptions of competence and locus of control for positive and negative outcomes: predicting depression and adjustment to college

Abstract

The relationship locus of control (LOC) and perceived competence have with depression and academic and social adjustment was examined in two studies. In study 1, internal LOC for positive but not negative outcomes was associated with lower levels of depression. Perceived competence, the belief that you can affect outcomes in your life, accounted for additional variance in depression scores beyond that of LOC. In study 2, LOC and competence were examined for their relationship to academic and social adjustment. As in study 1, internal LOC over positive outcomes was associated with better adjustment than internal LOC over negative outcomes. Perceptions of competence explained variance in adjustment scores beyond that explained by LOC. Domain-specific measures of control and competence also contributed to an explanation of both social and academic adjustment. The results contradict previous research indicating that LOC over positive and negative outcomes are both beneficial.