The Relationship of Emotional Reactivity with Health Locus of Control

Abstract

Emotional reactivity was conceptualized as a problematic reaction to events and emotional dysregulation in individuals. Heightened emotional reactivity was positively associated with poor differentiation of self and poor mental health indicators like maladjustment, psychological stress and depression. However, the present study looks at both positive and negative aspects of emotional reactivity to find associations between emotional reactivity and health locus of control. Using a correlational design and drawing upon a sample of 170 university students (N=170;M=85, F=85) between the ages of 18-25 years, the study used the Perth Emotional Reactivity Scale and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale. The data was analyzed using a correlation and regression analysis. Results show that positive emotional reactivity positively correlates and also predicts internal health locus of control. The study also found that negative emotional reactivity positively correlates with, and predicts chance and powerful others health locus of control. Findings bear significance in the context of the novel coronavirus to improve adherence to health promoting behaviors like social distancing, wearing masks and handwashing. The study also throws light on the role of psychologists in psycho educating the masses about the virus and in designing intervention programs to improve health behaviors and adherence of people.