Changes In Locus Of Control Research Articles

One-Year Change in Locus of Control among People with Dementia

Introduction: Knowledge of how perceptions of personal control change over time may provide valuable insights into how people cope with having dementia. The present study aimed to examine change in locus of control over a 12-month period in persons with dementia. Method: The study included 52 participants with dementia. Locus of control was measured with the Locus of Control of Behavior Scale (LoCB), with higher scores indicating a more external locus of control, interpreted as perceiving less personal control. A ≥5% change on the LoCB was considered clinically meaningful. We recorded sociodemographic characteristics and assessed dementia severity, cognition, ability to function independently in daily activities and physical self-maintenance, depressive symptomatology, and number of prescribed medications. Analyses were performed to examine differences between those with increases (more external) or decreases (less external) in the LoCB score after 12 months and to examine associations between baseline variables and change in the LoCB score. Results: The mean LoCB score for the total sample did not change after 12 months (baseline mean 29.33 vs. follow-up mean 30.33, p = 0.553); however, 2 subgroups emerged. Using the ≥5% cutoff revealed that the LoCB score changed for 92.3% of the sample, becoming less external (lower LoCB) for 21 participants and more external (higher LoCB) for 27 participants. At baseline, the mean LoBC score was higher in the group that became less external (33.81 vs. 24.56), p = 0.006, while this was reverse at follow-up (23.57 vs. 34.41), p = 0.001. Dementia severity and dependence in physical self-maintenance increased during the 12 months in both groups. Among those becoming more external, we also found a decline in cognition (p = 0.002), an increase in dependence in daily activities (p = 0.003), an increase in the use of prescribed medication, and a decrease in depressive symptomatology (p = 0.003). The baseline LoCB score was the only variable associated with 12-month change in LoCB scores (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Most participants showed a clinically meaningful change in locus of control after 12 months. Those with more signs of dementia progression reported a decrease in personal control but also a decrease in depressive symptoms. These findings are interesting for our understanding of coping but must be replicated with a larger sample.

Początki bywają trudne. Zmiany rozwojowe poczucia kontroli wśród uczniów w okresie wczesnej adolescencji doświadczających transformacji systemu edukacji w Polsce

<p>Celem artykułu było przedstawienie wyników i wniosków z badań dotyczących zmian rozwojowych poczucia kontroli wśród współczesnej młodzieży w okresie wczesnej adolescencji doświadczającej przekształceń systemu edukacji w Polsce. Analizy stanowią podsumowanie pierwszych dwóch, z zaplanowanych trzech, etapów badań podłużnych. Prezentowane wyniki odnoszą się do powtarzanego co rok pomiaru poczucia kontroli w dwóch grupach uczniów: rocznika ze szkół podstawowych, który jako pierwszy realizuje wydłużoną naukę w szkole podstawowej – w klasie szóstej i siódmej, oraz uczniów, którzy stanowią rocznik wygaszający naukę w gimnazjach – w klasie pierwszej i drugiej. Poczucie kontroli zgeneralizowane oraz w sytuacjach sukcesów i porażek zostało ustalone na podstawie Kwestionariusza do Badania Poczucia Kontroli KBPK i KBPK-R. W badaniach sprawdzono, jakie różnice wystąpiły w zakresie zmian rozwojowych poczucia kontroli między uczniami szkół podstawowych i gimnazjów. Wyniki pokazały, że na przełomie dwóch lat badań w obu grupach uczniów wzrosło wewnętrzne poczucie kontroli, jednak to uczniowie szkół podstawowych charakteryzują się istotnie wyższym wewnętrznym przypisywaniem sobie odpowiedzialności za zdarzenia, szczególnie w sytuacjach sukcesów. Dodatkowe analizy uwzględniające płeć ujawniły wzrost zgeneralizowanego poczucia kontroli u dziewcząt oraz wewnętrznej kontroli w sytuacjach porażek u chłopców z gimnazjum.</p>

Developmental Changes in the Locus of Control in Students Attending Integrated and Non-integrated Classes during Early Adolescence in Poland.

This article reports the results of a longitudinal study on the development of context-specific locus of control related to situations of success and failure in Polish adolescents. The participants were 90 primary school students, including 30 who learned in integrated classrooms and 60 who went to non-integrated classes in schools with and without an inclusive curriculum, located in Lublin, Poland. The students were surveyed during a three-year schooling period (when they were in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade). The research was carried out in the years 2016–2019. The Locus of Control Questionnaire (LOQ and LOQ-R) by Krasowicz-Kupis and Kurzyp-Wojnarska measured locus of control. These instruments measure generalized locus of control and allow the assessment of context-specific locus of control related to situations of success and failure, as well as school, parent, and peer settings. At the first stage of this study, students in non-integrated classrooms in schools without an inclusive curriculum were characterized by a more internal locus of control, both generalized and in situations of failure, compared to students of non-integrated classrooms in schools with an inclusive curriculum. At seventh grade, students of integrated classes were more external in situations related to their school activity, compared to their peers from non-integrated classrooms. Moreover, we observed developmental changes in locus of control of students from non-integrated classes but only those who attended schools with an integrated curriculum.

The relationship between ingroup identity and Paranoid ideation among people from African and African Caribbean backgrounds.

People from ethnic minority groups experience higher rates of paranoid delusions compared with people from ethnic majority groups. Identifying with social groups has been shown to protect against mental health symptoms; however, no studies have investigated the relationship between social identification and paranoia in ethnic minority populations. Here, we investigated the association between British identification and paranoia in a sample of people from African and African Caribbean backgrounds living in the United Kingdom. We also assessed the role of potential mediating (self-esteem and locus of control) and moderating (contact with White British people) factors. Cross-sectional quantitative survey design. We recruited 335 people from African and African Caribbean backgrounds who completed online self-report measures of identification with Great Britain, self-esteem, locus of control, positive and negative contact with White British people, and paranoia. A parallel moderated mediation model indicated that British identification was associated with lower paranoia when participants experienced primarily positive contact with White British people. British identification was associated with higher paranoia when participants had primarily negative contact with White British people. Both effects were mediated by changes in locus of control, but self-esteem was not implicated in either pathway. Identification with the majority culture is associated both positively and negatively with paranoid beliefs depending on the types of social interactions people experience. The findings have implications for preventative social prescribing initiatives and for understanding the causes of the high rates of psychosis in ethnic minority populations. People from African and African Caribbean backgrounds experience high rates of paranoia, which may stem from social causes such as lack of belonging and negative social experiences. Among people from African backgrounds living in the UK, British identification is associated with lower paranoia when people's social experiences with White British people are positive and higher paranoia when their social experiences with White British people are negative. It is recommended that social interventions designed to reduce paranoia in vulnerable groups foster positive social contact and community belonging, which should enhance feelings of personal control. Understanding the complex interplay between social identity and social contact in the development of paranoia may help therapists and researchers better understand the phenomenology and risk factors of paranoid symptomology.

Unemployment and Reemployment Effects on Locus of Control and Health

While unemployment compromises wellbeing and health, reemployment can mitigate some of its negative effects. Yet, we lack understanding of the underlying mechanism through which these unemployment and reemployment effects occur. In the present study, we integrate models of unemployment, stress, and trait variability to argue that changes in locus of control play a crucial role in explaining health following unemployment and reemployment. Applying propensity score matching to a longitudinal sample of 7,908 individuals from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) reveals that unemployment predicts lower internal locus of control which in turn relates to poorer subjective health. Subgroup analyses show that the decline in internal control beliefs only occurs for involuntary (as compared with voluntary) unemployment. Reemployment reverses this negative effect on health through restoring internal control beliefs. Concluding, our study adds to the extant literature as it uncovers why health changes occur after job loss and job gain.

Investigation of Teachers’ Self-Efficacy Beliefs, Locus of Control and Intercultural Sensitivities from the Perspective of Individual Differences

The purpose of this study is to examine the correlation between Teachers' Self-efficacy beliefs, locus of control and intercultural sensitivities and to analyze these variables based on various demographic variables. The data of the study were collected through teachers’ locus of control scale developed by Sadowski, Taylor, Woodward, Peacher, & Martin (1982) adopted into Turkish by Buluş (2011), teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs scale developed by Dellinger, Bobbett, Olivier, & Ellet (2008) adopted into Turkish by Taşkın & Hacıömeroglu (2010) and Intercultural Sensitivity scale developed by Chen & Starosta (2000) adopted into Turkish by Bulduk, Tosun, & Ardıç (2011). The research is a descriptive study in relational screening model. 237 volunteer teachers who worked in different schools all of which are in the city of Bursa participated in the research. According to the results of the research, the self-efficacy beliefs of the teachers participating in the research differ significantly from the variables studied in the scope of the research according to the branch and seniority variables. The intercultural sensitivity of the teachers differed significantly only according to the seniority variable. It has been determined that the level of locus of control of teachers is not significantly different from the variables studied in the scope of the research. It was determined that there was a statistically significant relationship between teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs; intercultural sensitivity and locus of control levels. It was also found that self-efficacy beliefs and intercultural sensitivity variables together account for 30% of change in locus of control.

Nurse-led theory-based educational intervention improves glycemic and metabolic parameters in South Asian patients with type II diabetes: a randomized controlled trial.

This study assessed whether a structured nurse-led diabetes educational program underpinned by the theories of the health belief model, change in locus of control, and patient empowerment is effective in improving glycemic and metabolic parameters among South Asians with type II diabetes compared to regular outpatient care. This was a parallel-group randomized trial in South Asian adult patients with type II diabetes living in Qatar. 460 subjects were randomized to a nurse-led, group-based diabetes educational program (n=230) or to usual care (n=230). The primary outcome was the improvement in HbA1c and other metabolic parameters, including lipid profile, albumin/creatinine ratio, blood pressure, and body mass index. Patients in the intervention group were invited to attend four 2-h sessions of self-efficacy improvement education once weekly. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 12months later. An intention-to-treat analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA (analysis of variance) for each of the clinical outcome variables. After 12months, 290 patients completed the study. Subjects in the intervention group had statistically significant improvements in HbA1c (-0.55%, p=0.012), fasting blood sugar (-16.6mg/dl, p=0.022), albumin/creatinine ratio (-3.09, p<0.001), and HDL cholesterol (+6.08mg/dl, p<0.0001). The inclusion of South Asian patients with type II diabetes in a structured, theory-based diabetes educational program that is led by nurses improves glycemic and metabolic parameters after 12months.

Relating Health Locus of Control to Health Care Use, Adherence, and Transition Readiness Among Youths With Chronic Conditions, North Carolina, 2015.

IntroductionHealth locus of control refers to the belief that health is in one’s control (internal control) or is not in one’s control (external control). Among adults, external locus of control is associated with negative health outcomes, whereas internal locus of control is associated with favorable outcomes. Few studies examined these associations among youths. The objective of our study was to determine how locus of control relates to health care use, medication adherence, missed school, and readiness for transition to adult medical care for youths with chronic conditions.MethodsParticipants at a camp for youths aged 6 to 17 years with chronic health conditions completed a survey measuring locus of control, readiness for transition to adult care, and medication adherence. Their parents completed a separate part of the survey about health care use and missed school days in the past year.ResultsA total of 163 youths completed the survey (78.5% white; 52.1% female; mean age, 12.3 y). Internal locus of control (β = 0.196; P = .013) and external Doctor locus of control with doctors controlling disease (β = 0.181; P = .025) were positively associated with transition readiness. External control by chance or with others controlling disease was negatively associated with transition readiness (β = −0.248; P = .002) and positively associated with emergency department visits (β = 0.225; P = .004) and with number of hospital inpatient nights at hospital (β = 0.166; P = .04).ConclusionAdolescents with external control of their health by chance or by other people are at increased risk for negative health outcomes and may fail to develop the self-management skills needed for successful transitioning to adult care. Future studies should examine effects of changes in locus of control on health outcomes among youths.

Evaluating the Study Abroad Experience using the framework of Rotter’s Social Learning Theory

The authors proposed a framework based on Rotter’s Social Learning Theory (SLT) that is appropriate for the evaluation of students’ experiences in college study abroad programs (McLeod &amp; Wainwright, 2009). In the present paper two concepts originating in SLT, locus of control and self- esteem, were used to gauge the impact of study abroad courses on undergraduates. It was predicted and found that when compared to a peer comparison group, study abroad participants became more internally controlled; however there was no change in self-esteem. It was important to note that the study abroad students maintained the positive change in locus of control six months after the end of the program. Rotter’s SLT appears to be a viable perspective for examining significant aspects of the study abroad experience.

Taking Control: Examining the Influence of Locus of Control on the Treatment of Nightmares and Sleep Impairment in Veterans

Trauma exposure has been linked to external locus of control (E-LOC). This feeling of uncontrollability may be maintained after the trauma by recurring posttrauma nightmares. The present study utilized data from a larger trial, with 19 U.S. veterans, examining the efficacy of a modified version of treatment for nightmares, to examine changes in locus of control in relation to improvements in symptomatology following treatment. Following treatment, internal control beliefs about sleep and nightmares significantly increased, while general control beliefs did not change. Preliminary evidence that exposure, relaxation, and rescripting therapy for military personnel (ERRT-M) is associated with increased sense of control over sleep and nightmares was observed.

Two Economists’ Musings on the Stability of Locus of Control

Empirical studies of the role of non-cognitive skills in driving economic behavior often rely heavily on the assumption that these skills are stable over the relevant time frame. We analyze the change in a specific non-cognitive skill, i.e. locus of control, in order to directly assess the validity of this assumption. We find that short- and medium-run changes in locus of control are rather modest on average, are concentrated among the young or very old, do not appear to be related to the demographic, labor market, and health events that individuals experience, and are unlikely to be economically meaningful. Still, there is no evidence that locus of control is truly time-invariant implying that the use of lagged measures results in an errors-in-variables problem that could downward bias the estimated wage return to locus of control by as much as 50 percent. Those researchers wishing to analyze the economic consequences of non-cognitive skills should consider (i) restricting their analysis to the working-age population for whom there is little evidence of systematic change in skill levels and (ii) accounting for error in the skill measures they employ.

Two Economists' Musings on the Stability of Locus of Control

Empirical studies of the role of non-cognitive skills in driving economic behavior often rely heavily on the assumption that these skills are stable over the relevant time frame. We analyze the change in a specific non-cognitive skill, i.e. locus of control, in order to directly assess the validity of this assumption. We find that short- and medium-run changes in locus of control are rather modest on average, are concentrated among the young or very old, do not appear to be related to the demographic, labor market, and health events that individuals experience, and are unlikely to be economically meaningful. Still, there is no evidence that locus of control is truly time-invariant implying that the use of lagged measures results in an errors-in-variables problem that could downward bias the estimated wage return to locus of control by as much as 50 percent. Those researchers wishing to analyze the economic consequences of non-cognitive skills should consider (i) restricting their analysis to the working-age population for whom there is little evidence of systematic change in skill levels and (ii) accounting for error in the skill measures they employ.

Two Economists’ Musings on the Stability of Locus of Control

Empirical studies of the role of non-cognitive skills in driving economic behavior often rely heavily on the assumption that these skills are stable over the relevant time frame. We analyze the change in a specific non-cognitive skill, i.e. locus of control, in order to directly assess the validity of this assumption. We find that short- and medium-run changes in locus of control are rather modest on average, are concentrated among the young or very old, do not appear to be related to the demographic, labor market, and health events that individuals experience, and are unlikely to be economically meaningful. Still, there is no evidence that locus of control is truly time-invariant implying that the use of lagged measures results in an errors-in-variables problem that could downward bias the estimated wage return to locus of control by as much as 50 percent. Those researchers wishing to analyze the economic consequences of non-cognitive skills should consider (i) restricting their analysis to the working-age population for whom there is little evidence of systematic change in skill levels and (ii) accounting for error in the skill measures they employ.

Change Mechanisms in EMG Biofeedback Training: Cognitive Changes Underlying Improvements in Tension Headache

Forty-three college students suffering from recurrent tension headache were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback training conditions. Although all subjects were led to believe they were learning to decrease frontal EMG activity, actual feedback was contingent on decreased EMG activity for half of the subjects and increased EMG activity for the other half. Within these 2 groups, subjects also viewed bogus video displays designed to convince them they were achieving large (high success) or small (moderate success) reductions in EMG activity. Regardless of actual changes in EMG activity, subjects receiving high-success feedback showed substantially greater improvement in headache activity (53%) than subjects receiving moderate success feedback (26%). Performance feedback was also related to changes in locus of control and self-efficacy. Changes in these 2 cognitive variables during biofeedback training were also correlated with reductions in headache activity following treatment, whereas changes in EMG activity exhibited during training were uncorrelated with outcome. These results suggest that the effectiveness of EMG biofeedback training with tension headache may be mediated by cognitive changes induced by performance feedback and not primarily by reductions in EMG activity.

A Response: Change Mechanisms in EMG Biofeedback Training Revisited

Forty-three college students suffering from recurrenttension headache were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 elec-tromyographic (EMG) biofeedback training conditions.Although all subjects were led to believe they were learn-ing to decrease frontal EMG activity, actual feedback wascontingent on decreased EMG activity for half of the sub-jectsandincreasedEMGactivityfortheotherhalf.Withinthese 2 groups, subjects also viewed bogus video displaysdesignedtoconvincethemtheywereachievinglarge(highsuccess) or small (moderate success) reductions in EMGactivity. Regardless of actual changes in EMG activity,subjects receiving high-success feedback showed substan-tially greater improvement in headache activity (53%)than subjects receiving moderate success feedback (26%).Performance feedback was also related to changes inlocus of control and self-efficacy. Changes in these 2 cog-nitive variables during biofeedback training were alsocorrelated with reductions in headache activity followingtreatment, whereas changes in EMG activity exhibitedduring training were uncorrelated with outcome. Theseresults suggest that the effectiveness of EMG biofeedbacktraining with tension headache may be mediated by cog-nitive changes induced by performance feedback and notprimarily by reductions in EMG activity.

Changing Locus of Control: Steelworkers Adjusting to Forced Unemployment

Using an abbreviated version of Levenson’s (1981) locus of control scale, we examine change over time in the locus of control of displaced steelworkers. The first data collection occurred approximately six months after plant shutdown, the second occurred a year later. Utilizing a multidimensional measurement model, we test the major assumption that locus of control is a stable personality characteristic. The results of our analysis suggest that the measurement model is stable over time. However, we find evidence that locus of control changes over time. We argue that heightened perceptions of both internal and external control among men forced into unemployment may in part be a function of the reference group to which workers compare their perceived success or failure. Moreover, locus of control may be a function of the reality of institutional constraints in the face of unemployment.

Can four key psychosocial risk factors for chronic pain and disability (Yellow Flags) be modified by a pain management programme?: A pilot study

Objectives To identify the extent to which an adapted pain management programme is successful in modifying pain beliefs, psychological distress, locus of control and self-efficacy using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Design Prospective, observational study with questionnaires at baseline and following completion of a pain management programme. Setting Outpatient pain management programme in a district general hospital. Participants Fifteen participants experiencing chronic pain, referred from pain and rheumatology clinics within the hospital. Outcome measures Pain beliefs, self-efficacy, locus of control and psychological distress. Results Wilcoxon signed ranks tests demonstrated significant improvements in pain beliefs, self-efficacy and psychological distress. However, changes in locus of control were not found to be significant. The qualitative data supported these findings. Conclusions The pilot study suggested that the pain management programme successfully modified three out of four of the psychosocial risk factors (Yellow Flags) in a population with established pain and disability. A larger scale project replicating this pilot study including a comparison group, and further research to assess the extent to which modifying Yellow Flags generalises to affect quality of life and disability, are underway.

Temporal Stability in the Effects of College Attendance on Locus of Control, 1972–1992

Locus of control is fairly stable over time but does change as a result of natural events, such as the acquisition of college education. Previous research found this to be so in a study of the high school class of 1972. This investigation asked whether a model of stability and change in locus of control had changed since the benchmark study of the 1972 high school class. Using a carefully designed structural equation model comparing high school classes of 1972 and 1992, we concluded that the influence of college on locus of control, although small to begin with, has not changed in 20 years.

Predictors of change in health locus of control following surgical treatment

The effects of psychosocial, medical and treatment related factors upon change in health locus of control were studied in 369 surgical patients. Control beliefs were assessed prior to hospital admission and 4 months following discharge. The pre to post treatment correlations among the sub-scales ranged from 0.50 (internality) to 0.59 (control of powerful others) indicating considerable intraindividual instability in control beliefs over time. Path modeling of the latent control constructs indicated that education was associated with an increase in internal and a decrease in chance control. Increases in internality were predicted by a positive relationship with physicians. The severity of the illness predicted an increase in chance control. Subjective stress predicted an increase both in powerful others and chance externality. Treatment for coronary heart disease predicted increases both in internality and powerful others externality. Its predictors may be relevant in treatment programs.

Locus of control and health behaviour revisited: a multivariate analysis of young adults from 18 countries.

The inconsistent and small associations between health locus of control and health behaviour found in previous studies may be due to the use of small samples, and an overreliance on correlations as measures of association. We assessed relationships between internal powerful others and chance health locus of control, health values, and ten health-related behaviours (physical exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption, breakfast, tooth-brushing, seat belt use, and consumption of fruit, fat, fibre and salt) in 4358 female and 2757 male university students from 18 European countries. Multivariate logistic modelling, assessing the odds of engaging in healthy behaviour with graded changes in locus of control, identified substantial associations. For five behaviours, the odds of healthy behaviour were more than 40% greater among individuals in the highest vs. lowest quartile of internal locus of control after adjustment for sex, age, health value and other locus of control scales. High chance locus scores were associated with more than 20% reductions in the likelihood of healthy options for six behaviours, while powerful others scores showed more variable associations with healthy actions. Inclusion of health value within the analyses did not change the nature of the relationships observed between variables. Associations between health locus of control and health behaviour are of a similar magnitude to other psychosocial factors when appropriate statistical tests are employed.