External Locus Of Control Scale Research Articles

Early Home-Life Antecedents of Children's Locus of Control.

Children’s external locus of control has been linked to a wide variety of negative academic achievement, personality, and social adjustment outcomes. The purpose of this study was to discover which features of early home environment may facilitate the development of external as opposed to internal control expectancies in children. We use an exposome approach to analyze data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) cohort study, a longitudinal study starting in pregnancy in England in 1990–1992. Details of parents and their study children were collected prospectively, and children’s locus of control was assessed at age 8 using an abbreviated form of the most frequently used measure of children’s locus of control (Nowicki-Strickland Internal External locus of control scale). A series of stepwise logistic regression analyses were undertaken to determine the strongest independent associations. The final model (n = 4,075 children) comprised 13 variables – those with the strongest associations with the child becoming externally oriented were two that were positive indicators of the mother being distracted (TV on almost the whole time, and a consideration that pets should be treated as members of the family), three that were indicators of protective (negative) effects of interaction between mother and child (child was breast fed, mother read stories to the child, mother cuddled the baby when he/she woke at night), and two divergent indicators of maternal health behavior (more frequent cleaning of the child’s hands before a meal which was associated with a heightened risk of become external, and providing a healthy-type of diet, which was associated with a reduced risk of becoming external). The findings suggest that inadequate early maternal interaction with the child is associated with an increased risk of the child being externally oriented by the age of 8.

Study on a Christian Chinese sample: sense of self-worth, well-being and locus of control

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to explore Chinese Christians’ sense of self-worth, well-being, locus of control and the correlations between these variables. One hundred and two Chinese Christians with a range of 18–40 years old were surveyed by the Scale of Self-worth, Chinese version of General Well-Being Scale and internal–external Locus of Control Scale. A control group of 134 Chinese non-Christians participated in the same survey. Christians scored lower on locus of control and higher on self-worth than the non-Christians. No significant general well-being difference was between the Christian and non-Christian samples. The correlations were significant between locus of control and self-worth/general well-being (negative) and between self-worth and general well-being (positive). Results suggest that Christians experience better self-worth and tend to be internals on locus of control.

Relation of Locus of Control and Creativity with Learning Styles

The current paper aimed to investigate the relation between the locus of control and creativity with learning styles among the third grade high school students in the city of Kamyaran. The universe under study in this research consisted of all third grade high school students of the city of Kamyaran. The statistical population included 300 third grade students who were chosen by the cluster sampling method. Tools for collecting data involved the Abedi's creativity questionnaire (1993), Rotter's internal and external locus of control scale (1996) and the Kolb's learning styles questionnaire (1971). To analyze the data, the independent groups t test, one-way variance analysis (ANOVA), the simple Pearson correlation and the multivariate variance analysis (MANOVA) were sued. Results indicated that there was a difference between students and the internal and external locus of control in terms of various learning styles (P<0/03), and also there was a difference between the students with the various learning styles and the creativity level (P<0/01). Findings also suggested that there was a significant difference between the internal and external locus of control with the creativity and gender, and also there was not a significant difference between learning styles and gender.

Hopelessness, Suicidal Risk and Perceived Source of Control among College Students of Agartala

The educational sector is becoming wider and wider day by day and it is also so in the case of Tripura. There has been a significant increase in the number of students studying science and other subjects at schools, colleges and university level too. But as the educational sphere becomes wider, different problems, specifically different psychological problems, come into the forefront. Psychology as a behavioural science is closely related with the educational field and there is a need to be always concerned and sensitive regarding the different psychological problems, especially of the student population. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the world, particularly among the student population. Studies shows that the largest number of victims are found to be in the age group of 21–30 years. In Tripura, though the literature on suicide is very less, it is also seen that there are some unrelated incidences of suicide among college students of Tripura. As the problem is significantly increasing all around the whole world, it has become necessary to survey the risk of suicide among the student population of Tripura also. A study was conducted on college students of Agartala to assess their hopelessness, suicidal risk and perceived source of control. Hopelessness is the factor which directly contributes to suicide and perceived source of control or locus of control also has an impact on the feeling of hopelessness. Data was collected from 60 (30 males and 30 females) students by using Beck's Hopelessness Scale and Rotter's Internal and External locus of control scale to assess their hopelessness, suicidal risk and their locus of control or perceived source of control. Result showed that boys and girls both posses mild level of hopelessness and internal locus of control or perceived source of control but there exists no significant difference between the two. But it is also evident from the result that 16.67% of boys and 23.33% of girls show potentialities or probability of future suicide risk.

Demographic Profiling of the Locus of Control of Employees

This study examines variations in employees’ locus of control (LOC) across the demographic variables of gender, educational background and respondents’ age. The study is based on data collected from 565 employees, using an adapted version of the Rotter Internal–External Locus of Control Scale. Based on a survey of literature, three hypotheses were formulated relating the demographic variables of gender, educational background and age with LOC. The results of this study yielded evidence of variations based on all the three demographic parameters. T-tests and analyses of variance suggest that there is no uniform LOC across different groups of employees. Men, ‘Gen X’ and people with higher educational levels (postgraduates) demonstrate higher internal LOC when compared with counterpart demographic groups. Implications of the findings for organization and management practice are discussed.

Resilience and Factors Contributing to Resilience Among the Offsprings of Parents with Schizophrenia

The study attempts to explore resilience and its correlates among the offsprings of parents with schizophrenia. A sample of 45 adults with one parent diagnosed with schizophrenia was selected using a purposive sampling. They were assessed using Socio-demographic data sheet, Connor Davidson Resilience Scale, The Coping Checklist, Assessment of Social Support, Six-Factor Self-Concept Scale and Internal- External Locus of Control Scale. The findings of the study show that majority of the offsprings reported medium (60 %) resilience, 24 % and 15 % reported high and low resilience respectively. High and medium resilient group had internal locus of control, engaged in coping mechanisms such as acceptance, religious coping, problem solving, and seeking social support; had positive self concept such as likeability, task accomplishment, giftedness and morality, more satisfaction with emotional support and less non utilization of support compared to low resilient group. The study highlights that majority of the offsprings were resilient and that the factors associated with resilience are presence of good support system, use of problem focused coping strategies and having positive self concept. The results endorse the importance of addressing the above said factors in interventions involving offsprings of parents with schizophrenia.

Self Esteem, Locus of Control and Multidimensional Perfectionism as the Predictors of Subjective Well Being

The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is a relationship between self-esteem, locus of control and multidimensional perfectionism, and the extent to which the variables of self-esteem, locus of control and multidimensional perfectionism contribute to the prediction of subjective well-being. The study was carried out with 318 final year (fourth grade) university students. Subjective Well-Being Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Rotter Internal External Locus of Control Scale and Multi-Dimensional Perfectionism Scale were used in the study. Correlation Coefficient of Pearson Moments and Gradual Regression Analysis were used in the analysis of the data. As a consequence, it was determined that there is a positive relationship between subjective well-being and self-esteem, and a negative relationship between subjective well-being and locus of control and multi-dimensional perfectionism. Also, it was observed that the variables of self-esteem, locus of control and multidimensional perfectionism significatly predict subjective well-being.

Return to work after 9/11

This case study is a report of a rehabilitative employment program that used trauma focused group treatment with individuals who suffered from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) post 9/11. The program was developed in order to assist them to return to the work force. These Individuals lost their jobs because of the 9/11 terrorist attack and experienced financial difficulty, yet because of their PTSD symptoms, had difficulty seeking employment. Individuals were selected for group treatment based on the presence of PTSD symptoms as measured by The Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale, an external locus of control determined by the Internal and External Locus of Control Scale, low self-esteem as per the Self-Efficacy Scale, and hopelessness, as assessed through the Hopelessness Scale. Additional assessments (Role Checklist, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Determination, Vocational Sentence Completion, Activity Record of the Occupational Questionnaire, and an interview that included a work history) were administered by an occupational therapist. Results of these assessments were used to inform group co-leaders (one social worker and one occupational therapist per group) of their members' symptoms, coping mechanisms, attitudes towards work, rehabilitation readiness, life roles and values, and use of time in order to plan appropriate group intervention. Groups met for once-a-week 90 minute sessions. Group leaders used restructuring and systematic prolonged exposure to encourage group members to describe their traumatic experiences in order to neutralize negative affect states, mange symptoms, and work through guilt and distorted perceptions. Members attended until they began gainful employment. Descriptive data revealed that during the first year of the program, 9/11/2001-9/11/2002, 262 of the 3,567 clients seen (13.6%) returned to the work force.

Self-Management Plans for Asthma Control and Predictors of Patient Compliance

Objective. To evaluate the impact of peak flow or symptom-based self–management plans on asthma control and patients' quality of life and to determine the main psychosocial factors that affect compliance with these plans. Methods. The study sample consisted of 63 patients with persistent asthma outpatients. Data collection included demographics, pulmonary functions, symptom scores, and asthma control parameters recorded over the previous 2 consecutive years. A standard asthma self-management education program including personal action plans was given to the patients who were randomly divided into peak flow meter (PFM) (n = 31) or symptom-based (n = 32) action plan groups. Patients were then assessed prospectively for various study outcomes including symptoms, drug compliance, psychiatric co-morbidities, quality of life, and asthma control over the next 12 months. Psychiatric co-morbidities were assessed using Rotter's Internal and External Locus of Control Scale (RIELCS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I), Spielberger State-Trait-Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Short Form-36 (SF-36). Results. Of the 63 patients (79% female; mean age 43), 85% of them had moderately or severely persistent asthma. Baseline demographics, clinical parameters, psychiatric diagnosis, and quality of life were not different between groups. Personal asthma plans increased optimal asthma control significantly. Emergency visits, antibiotic treatments, systemic corticosteroid treatments, and unscheduled visits were fewer than the previous year. Control parameters were better in the PFM group. After the self-management education, the quality of life dimensions, i.e., vitality, total mental and general scores of both groups increased. Frequency of psychiatric co-morbidities decreased from 61.9% to 49.2%. However, state anxiety levels were increased in both groups. These increases were statistically significant in the PFM group. Compliance with the action plans was better in the PFM group. Higher BDI scores were associated with worse compliance. No statistically significant association was found between demographic parameters and the compliance. Although the compliance had decreased in both groups after 6 months, this decrease was greater in the symptom group. Higher RIELCS and mental health scores were associated with better compliance. Conclusion. Introduction of self-management plans improved illness control and quality of life in asthma patients. Use of the PFM and the presence of higher RIELCS and lower BDI scores can be used to predict compliance with the action plans.

Effects of Internal Control Training on the Locus of Control of Some School Going Adolescents in Benin City.

This study investigated the effect of internal control training on the locus of control of selected school going adolescents in Benin City. A sample size of 60 was drawn from two of the 27 co-educational schools in Oredo Local government area of Benin City. A table of random number technique was used to select subjects for the study. Three instruments were used in the study. Two were used for the pre-treatment selection, the Rotter (1966} Internal • External locus of control scale was used to determine those who had external control orientation needed for the study. The researcher constructed a socio-economic status classification scale to involve at! the three cadres of socio-economic background subjects in the study. That instrument had the A part constructed for self reported sex. This enabled male and female subjects to participate in the study. The third instrument Rotter (1966) Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Scale was used for pre and post treatment assessment. Three hypotheses were formulated for the study. A 2x2x3 factorial design was employed for Hie study. Data analysis to test the three hypothesis was based on a 3 way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with pre-test IAR scores as covariate. The following results were found. 1. Internal locus of control training had significant effect on subjects locus control (F = 1971.645. df 1/59, P The Nigerian Journal Of Guidance And Counselling Vol. 7 (1) 2000: pp. 153-165

Interference of psychological factors in difficult-to-control asthma

Most patients with asthma can be controlled with suitable medication, but 5-10% of them remain difficult to control despite optimal management. We investigated whether patients with difficult-to-control asthma (DCA) or controlled asthma (CA) differ with respect to psychological factors, such as general control beliefs on life events. DCA was defined as an absence of control despite optimal management. Recent control was measured using the Asthma Control Questionnaire. General control beliefs were investigated using a Locus of Control scale (LOC). Patients with DCA had a significantly higher external LOC as compared to patients with CA (P=0.01). In the DCA group, the hospital admission rate was highly significant in association with the external LOC (P=0.004) as compared to the internal LOC trend. This study showed that patients with DCA had different general control beliefs which might have hampered their management and interfered with their therapeutic adherence. The present findings could enhance management of DCA in a clinical setting.

Locus of Control in Drinking Driving Offenders and Non-Offenders

This study assesses the differences in locus of control among drinking driving offenders (DWI) when compared to non-drinking drivers (non-DWI) using Rotter's Internal External Locus of Control Scale (I-E) and the Drinking Related Locus of Control Scale (DRIE). DWI offenders demonstrated higher external scores than non-DWI group on both measures, however, on the DRIE, more internality was found for both groups.

Manifest anxiety, general self-efficacy and locus of control as determinants of personal and general risk perception

The hypothesis that risk perception is associated with differences in personality was proposed. Three personality variables were used, Rotter's Internal vs External Locus of Control Scale, Schwarzer's General Self-efficacy Scale and Taylor's Manifest Anxiety Scale. A scale asking for personal and general risk perception measured perceived risk. It was proposed that individuals low in anxiety, having an internal locus of control and high in self-efficacy should perceive general risks and personal risks higher than individuals high in anxiety and low in self-efficacy and having external locus of control should do. Fifty-nine business students responded to these three scales. The hypothesis was supported by the results and suggested that the personality measures and particularly anxiety were significantly associated to both personal and general risk perceptions.

The self-concept of homeless adolescents

Thirty adolescents who had lived away from home for at least six months were compared on self-concept with 120 adolescents living at home. The latter group was divided into equal numbers of adolescents who were employed, unemployed, school students, and college students. The Offer Self-image Questionnaire for Adolescents was used to measure self-concept. Other measures used were the Beck Depression Inventory, the Hopelessness Scale of Beck et al.,and the Rotter Internal External Locus of Control Scale. These were used to examine the relationship between deficits in self-concept and psychopathology. Environmental factors such as family relationships, employment, school achievement, and friendships were also examined. It was found that homeless adolescents demonstrated significant deficits in five areas of self-concept and a specific pattern of deficits was related to hopelessness. Results were discussed with reference to the theory that acting-out behavior mitigates the impact of affective disturbance on self concept.

Characteristics and correlates of MMPI change within an adult psychiatric inpatient setting.

This study investigated characteristics and correlates of MMPI change scores among 188 male and female inpatients who were assessed at admission and upon completion of a 9-week residential program. Predictor variables included admission scores from the standard 13 MMPI scales, the Internal-External Locus of Control Scale, the trait component of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Shipley-Hartford Verbal IQ scores, as well as demographic variables including factors that involved psychiatric history. Outcome variables consisted of change scores based on raw score values for each of the 13 MMPI scales. Results of a canonical correlation indicated a significant relationship between predictor and outcome variables, which cumulatively accounted for 27% of the variance of outcome change scores. Findings were discussed in terms of implications for research and theory in the areas of the measurement of psychological change through use of the MMPI.

Personality and Preference for Architectural Style

This is a replication of an earlier study relating personality to painting style. As in the previous study we are interested in the relation between fatalism as measured by Rorter's inrernal vs external locus of control scale and preference for classical vs romantic art. The prediction that external locus of control (fatalism) is positively related to preference for romantic building and vice versa was confirmed.

Personality and preference for painting style.

40 university students were asked to choose between the cubist or surrealist from among 15 pairs of slides of paintings according to their aesthetic preference. Their choices were correlated with scores on Rotter's internal vs external locus of control scale. The data support the hypothesis that there is a positive relationship between preference for cubism over surrealism and internal locus control and vice versa.