Relationship of Locus of Control Orientation to Clothing Satisfaction and Clothing Importance of Selected Fifth‐Grade Students at Three Achievement Levels

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine if a relationship exists between locus of control and clothing satisfaction and clothing importance among Sth‐grade boys and girls at 3 achievement levels. Locus of control refers to the expectancy that an outcome is influenced either by external factors (i.e., luck, chance, fate, or powerfid others) or by internal factors (i.e., effort, skill, or ability). One accelerated, 1 special education, and 3 regular 5th‐grade classes were surveyed (44 girls; 62 boys) using the Clothing Deprivation Scale and Nowicki‐Strickland Locus of Control Scale for Children. Overall, girls exhibited a greater external locus of control orientation than boys. Students of both sexes in the accelerated class had a greater internal locus of control orientation and perceived clothing to be of greater importance than students in the regular and special education classes. All students with an internal locus of control also indicated higher satisfaction with their clothing than students with an external locus of control orientation. The relationship between locus of control and clothing satisfaction and importance may be used to help students develop an internal locus of control, which has been found to be an adaptive orientation.