The Role of Internal Locus of Control in Coping With Anticipatory and Postevent Stress Among IDF Soldiers

Abstract

The study aimed to determine whether internal locus of control (ILOC) predicts longitudinal psychological reactions to a stressful event. The research began two months prior to the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and lasted 10 months. ILOC and adjustment were assessed prior to the event (T1), immediately after the event (T2), and eight months after the event (T3), with 1,623, 216, and 156 participants completing questionnaires at each time, respectively. Participants with low T1 ILOC had more negative views and demonstrated low adjustment to the operation at T1 and T2 and reported lower levels of well-being at T3 than did individuals with high ILOC. T1 ILOC was correlated to positive and negative views at T2. Sense of threat, unit cohesion, and preparedness mediated some of this correlation.