Residential segregation has been linked to better everyday functioning levels, but faster rates of decline. There is a need to understand whether individual psychosocial factors may explain these mixed effects. Locus of control (LOC) is a psychosocial factor reflecting perceptions of control over life's outcomes that has been linked to health outcomes and may shape how individuals respond to their environments. Therefore, we examined whether LOC moderated the effects of segregation on everyday functioning. Participants were 672 Black older adults from the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly study. Baseline addresses characterized tract segregation with dissimilarity and interaction indices. Baseline levels of internal and external LOC were measured with the Personality in Intellectual Aging Contexts Inventory. Everyday functioning was assessed with the Observed Tasks of Daily Living at baseline and across a 10-year follow period. Latent growth curve models revealed that internal (B = .607, p = .033) and external LOC (B = -.448, p = .002) significantly moderated segregation effects. Higher internal LOC strengthened the positive association between segregation and average everyday functioning levels while there were no significant effects among those with lower internal LOC. Higher external LOC nullified segregation effects, but those with lower external LOC exhibited a positive association between segregation and everyday functioning levels. LOC did not moderate segregation effects on linear or quadratic declines in everyday functioning. Psychosocial factors influence the effects of residential segregation on everyday functioning and may be an important point of intervention as we continue to address inequitable environmental conditions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Culture and demographics as moderators of psychological and social influences in personal financial management behavior among Indian young professionals.

ABSTRACT While virtual reality (VR) technology promises enhanced decision support through immersive visualisation and rich interaction, empirical evidence remains limited. Through a 2 × 2 between-subjects experiment with a control condition (N = 183), we examined whether 3D VR environments provide advantages over traditional 2D interfaces and how the core features of VR, immersion and embodiment, affect individuals’ decision-making experiences in a financial context. Specifically, we analyzed decision satisfaction (process-focused) and self-esteem and anxiety (outcome-focused, from both approach and avoidance perspectives). In addition, both internal and external locus of control were tested as moderators. Key findings reveal: (1) the 3D VR environments did not significantly enhance or impair decision-making experiences compared to the conventional (non-immersive) 2D environments; (2) regarding VR, high immersion marginally reduced decision satisfaction and self-esteem; (3) embodiment alone had no significant effects on any dimensions of decision-making experiences, while high embodiment reduced the negative effect of external locus of control on satisfaction. These findings advance our understanding of how VR features interact with individual differences to empower decision-making requiring sophisticated information processing, filling a research gap by focusing on the features of VR rather than treating VR as a monolithic technology.

Clinical and Cognitive Mediators Underlying Subsequent Depression in Individuals With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Developmental Approach.

BackgroundGiven the increasing reliance on self-regulation in modern work environments, understanding how psychological characteristics influence physical activity participation can help inform more effective health promotion strategies. This study examines whether individuals with different Locus of Control (LOC) orientations show varying levels of engagement and performance in a workplace pedometer program.MethodsWe conducted a secondary analysis of 426 office workers in Melbourne, Australia who participated in the 2008 Global Corporate Challenge® (GCC®), a four-month team-based pedometer program encouraging 10,000 steps per day. Internal LOC (ILOC) was assessed at baseline, four months, and 12 months using the Duttweiler Internal Control Index. Baseline ILOC was the primary exposure. Program performance was operationalized as average daily step counts and achievement of the 10,000-step daily goal. Linear regression and logistic regression, adjusted for workplace clustering and covariates, were used to examine associations between ILOC and outcomes. Paired t-tests and descriptive comparisons were used to assess changes in ILOC over time.ResultsParticipants with higher baseline ILOC were older (p < 0.001), more likely to have previously completed the GCC® (p = 0.039), more health-motivated (p = 0.015), met fruit (p = 0.040) and vegetable (p = 0.003) intake guidelines, and reported higher wellbeing and mental health-related quality of life (both p < 0.001). During the program, higher ILOC was associated with higher average daily step counts (β = 46.97, 95% CI [24.62, 69.33]; p = 0.001) and greater likelihood of achieving the 10,000-step goal (OR = 1.02, 95% CI [1.01, 1.03]; p = 0.001). ILOC showed no significant net change overall, but a clear regression-to-the-mean pattern was observed across baseline quartiles.ConclusionsHigher ILOC was associated with better performance in the pedometer program, though this did not translate into sustained additional health gains.

ABSTRACTBackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of tumour‐related mortality worldwide, accounting for approximately 903,000 deaths annually. Despite the proven effectiveness of population‐based screening in reducing mortality, participation rates remain suboptimal, hindered by cognitive, psychological, and socioeconomic barriers.ObjectiveThis study assessed the effectiveness of the PREVenGO smartphone application, a digital decision aid (DA) incorporating personalisation and gamification elements, in supporting informed decision‐making and adherence to CRC screening.MethodsDA‐CRC is a two‐arm randomised controlled pilot trial. Individuals born in 1973–1974 and invited for the first time to the CRC screening programme by the Local Health Authority of Brescia (Northern Italy) were eligible. Invitation letters included instructions to download the PREVenGO app, which randomised participants into intervention or control arms. The intervention app integrated questionnaires on family history, prevention knowledge, and locus of control (LoC), together with gamified features and rewards, while the control version provided static educational material. Both groups received follow‐up notifications at 3 (T1) and 6 months (T2).ResultsAmong those invited, 1% (n = 248) downloaded the app and completed onboarding. Follow‐up retention was limited: only 18 participants (7.3%) completed the 3‐month questionnaire (T1) and 1 (0.4%) the 6‐month assessment (T2). The overall faecal occult blood test (FOBT) screening uptake was 86.7% (n = 215), with comparable rates in both arms (control: 84.3%, n = 102; intervention: 89.0%, n = 113; p = 0.278). Only 17% (n = 43) of participants met all Marteau framework criteria for informed choice, with critical knowledge gaps, particularly regarding overdiagnosis, false positives, and absolute screening benefit.ConclusionsPreliminary findings suggest that a digital DA with personalised and gamified content may enhance CRC screening uptake and partially support informed choice. Larger, multisite studies are warranted to evaluate scalability, inclusivity, and long‐term effectiveness in population‐based cancer prevention.Clinical RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov RCT n. NCT07269028. (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07269028?term=NCT07269028&rank=1)

In recent years, grit has drawn increasing attention from both researchers and practitioners. Despite the utility and popularity, controversies revolve around the structure and measurement of grit. To address this, the present paper gives an account of development and psychometric validation of multidimensional grit scale (MGS) - a new tool to comprehensively measure grit. The MGS has five factors namely perseverance, passion, purpose, patience, and psychological flexibility (i.e. 5 Ps). Following the item generation process, a series of six studies by taking higher education students as participants were carried out to develop the MGS; study 1 (content validity, n = 6 experts), study 2 (pilot study, n = 60), study 3 (exploratory factor analysis (EFA), n = 236), study 4 (confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), n = 285), study 5 (reliability assessment, n = 102), and study 6 (validity testing, n = 248). The EFA and CFA results revealed a five-factor correlational model positioning grit as a latent two-level hierarchical construct comprising of five first-order factors. The reliability analysis showed that the 15-item MGS possessed good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.85) and test-retest reliability (stability r = 0.91, p < 0.001). The MGS and its dimensions had a moderate positive correlation with triarchic grit and self-efficacy scores indicating criterion-related and convergent validities, respectively. External locus of control was found to have a moderate negative association with the MGS garnering evidence for discriminant validity of the newly developed tool.

Radon-related increases in depressive symptoms are explained by amygdala morphology and external locus of control.

We explore the role of internal locus of control (LOC), migration status and gender, in healthcare utilization, using the Andersen Model. It addresses the knowledge gap in understanding how these factors influence healthcare access, especially in migrant populations. Utilization was assessed using the 2020 German Socioeconomic Panel with 26,028 adults (6,968 migrants). In this cross-sectional survey study, four outcomes were analyzed via regression models, including predisposing, enabling, and need factors. A migration background reduced the likelihood of doctor visits, while LOC increased it. Among migrants, LOC predicted even higher likelihood, especially in men, mitigating the negative impact of migration status. Migration background and LOC were not linked to hospital visits, and gender differences in doctor visits were found only in men. While individuals with a migration background had a lower chance of visiting doctors, internal control beliefs proved to be a significant resource for health behavior.

In a high-stakes context like aviation, deliberate self-harm (DSH) warrants attention, as it may signal underlying psychological vulnerabilities. Understanding the psychological risk profiles of civil aviators and aspirants with DSH is therefore crucial for ensuring aviation safety. A dearth of research in this area has prompted the need for profiling psychological risk factors for DSH and high-risk behavior in civil aviation to ensure fitness to fly. The current paper is a review of six cases assigned for DSH referred to the qualified examiner. A retrospective case series of six individuals (four females and two males; five aircrew aspirants and one active aviator) with a history of DSH who were referred for psychological assessment by the civil aviation authority to ascertain fitness to fly. Clinical interviews, mental status examinations, and personality assessments were analyzed to explore their underlying traits and coping mechanisms. Psychological risk factors for DSH included adolescent onset, gender, and personality traits such as impulsivity, emotional instability, external locus of control, low compliance and trust, emotional distress, and vacillating opinions. Operational and training stressors also contributed. DSH reflects primary psychological vulnerabilities marked by impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and maladaptive coping. Integrating demographic, personality, and defense mechanism factors with operational and training stressors in psychological screening can help flag at-risk individuals. Strengthening early assessment is crucial for excluding those unfit for piloting and ensuring flight safety. Hence it is recommended that case-by-case psychological clearance is carried out for high-risk and DSH candidates. Chaturvedula SN, Dahiya YS, Uppuluri A, Bhuvansunder M, Sonali S. Psychological profile of aviators and flight aspirants with high-risk and self-harm behavior. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2026; 97(5):384-388.

Chronic constipation and fecal incontinence (FI) are severe and chronic conditions associated with reduced quality of life and distress for those affected. Instrumented anorectal biofeedback has demonstrated efficacy in both conditions and is often described as a learning process, suggesting efficacy is mediated via central cognitive and motivational pathways, but empirical evidence is lacking. The aim of this exploratory study was to seek evidence of change in psychological processes as central mediators of biofeedback treatment efficacy. Patients (n = 135) were prospectively recruited from a tertiary care hospital, diagnosed with constipation likely due to dyssynergic defecation and/or FI. A range of psychological traits covering cognitive processes, emotion regulation, and others were measured at the beginning and end of therapy, along with patient outcomes. Changes in psychological traits were correlated with corresponding changes in patient outcomes, including condition-specific quality of life measures. Improvement in constipation impact on quality of life was most notably correlated with reduced external locus of control (p = 0.004) and reduced use of acceptance as an emotion regulation strategy (p = 0.048). Correlates of improvement in FI impact on quality of life were also related to reduced use of acceptance as well as improvements in measures of executive function (p = 0.0003 to p = 0.03), cognitive flexibility (p = 0.0001 to p = 0.02), and emotional regulation (p = 0.002 to 0.045). Our data strongly support the hypothesis that improvements in the disease impact of constipation and FI during biofeedback are related to concomitant changes in central psychological processes, suggesting that psychological factors play an important part in the mechanism of action of biofeedback therapy.

This study investigates the impact of Perceived Organisational Support (POS) and Internal Locus of Control (ILoC) on employee performance, with work motivation as a mediating variable. Using a quantitative-associative approach, data were analysed through structural equation modelling (SEM-PLS). Measurement model evaluations confirmed high validity (AVE &gt; 0.5) and reliability (Cronbach’s Alpha and Composite Reliability &gt; 0.7). The findings reveal that both POS and ILoC exert a positive and significant influence on work motivation. Furthermore, while POS and motivation directly drive employee performance, ILoC showed no significant direct effect. Work motivation, notably, does not serve as a mediator between POS and performance. The results underscore POS as the dominant determinant of productivity. Organisations are advised to prioritise supportive institutional policies to optimise performance outcomes.

The authors use a laboratory experiment to analyze the relationship between locus of control (LOC) and the behavior of a responding party in an asymmetric bargaining setting. The authors find that the availability of reward and punishment options to responders in bilateral ultimatum bargaining affects the behavior differently depending on their LOC type. Internal subjects are more likely to accept an offer when both reward and punishment options are available upon acceptance, therefore allowing them the largest range of possible payoff adjustments. Internal subjects are more likely to reward (and reward by larger amounts) when both options are available and are more likely to punish (and punish by larger amounts) when only the punishment option is available. The results suggest that the availability of more postacceptance instruments to affect payoffs, and thus a perception of greater control, promotes the acceptance decision of internal subjects.

Recent studies suggest that prolonged participation in formal music programs may be associated with the cultivation of resilience and locus of control (LoC) in music students. Brazilian musicians, who were attending or had attended community-based music programs, and a group of matched, untrained individuals from disadvantaged, urban communities completed the Connor-Davidson Scale of Resilience (RISC), the Craig Locus of Control Scale, and the ABEP 2022-Brazilian Criteria of Economic Classification questionnaire. Results suggested that while musical participation alone was not associated with resilience and LoC scores (model 1), a conditional restriction of the same model (model 2) showed a significant interaction between musical participation, age, and RISC and LoC scores, after controlling for SES. Among musicians, higher age was associated with higher resilience scores and internal LoC. Findings from this exploratory study are discussed in light of the multifaceted nature of community-based music programs, the building blocks of resilience and LoC. We also comment on the potential links between resilience and LoC in relation to musical participation and well-being. Limitations of this study are discussed alongside implications for future research.

Abstract Introduction Muslim patients often avoid medicines containing ingredients prohibited by their faith (haram), such as alcohol, gelatine, or porcine derivatives. While Islamic law permits exceptions based on necessity (darura) or biotransformation (istihala), the way these principles influence medication adherence and shape patient–healthcare provider (HCP) interaction is underexplored.[1] Aim To explore how Muslims in the UK apply Islamic moral reasoning to medication adherence decisions involving medicines containing haram ingredients. Methods Muslim adults from diverse ethnic backgrounds were purposively sampled through mosque-based recruitment strategies, including post-Friday prayer announcements, poster advertisements, mosque-affiliated social media, and key informants. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were undertaken online through Zoom, exploring participants’ experiences of using or declining medicines they considered haram. Transcripts were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis (RTA), with themes constructed inductively.[2] Interview development was informed by a prior scoping review and mosque-based public and patient involvement (PPI), within a qualitative, interpretive approach. Two co-authors independently coded a subset of transcripts to enrich the reflexive process, and feedback from face-to-face member checking allowed the final theme summaries to be refined and validated. Sampling was guided by information power and thematic depth in line with RTA; the study did not seek data saturation but focused on contextually situated theme development. Data interpretation was guided by the Necessity-Concerns Framework (NCF) and locus of control (LOC) theory. Results Thirteen adult Muslims with a range of ethnic heritages participated in the study. Four main themes were developed: (1) halal as worldview; (2) motivations for consumption; (3) minor illness or major disease; and (4) personalised care. These themes reflected how participants perceived illness severity, the semantic framing of ingredients, and the extent to which HCPs were viewed as trustworthy, culturally competent, and responsive to religious disclosure, all of which shaped adherence decisions. The rulings of darura (necessity) and istihala (biotransformation) were applied flexibly in chronic or life-threatening illnesses. Participants commonly avoided prohibited medicines for minor conditions, instead favouring complementary and alternative therapies perceived as natural and aligned with their religious beliefs. Conclusion Islamic moral reasoning influenced how participants engaged with medicines deemed haram. Supporting adherence requires pharmacy practice that incorporates religious literacy, responds to concerns about transparent labelling, and invites faith-sensitive communication. These steps may support patient-centred care by aligning religious and ethical reasoning with treatment decisions. In doing so, they may foster trust, enhance adherence, and support more equitable care for Muslim patients. Strengths of the study include its depth and reflexivity through RTA, as well as the use of member checking. However, transferability may be limited due to the sample being primarily mosque-based and from a single UK region.

This systematic review examines the role of causal attributions in the maintenance and recovery of PTSD symptoms. Causal attributions, which include dimensions such as locus (internal vs. external), controllability (controllable vs. uncontrollable), and stability (stable vs. unstable), as well as locus of control, learned helplessness, and self-blame, are crucial in understanding the cognitive processes that contribute to PTSD. The review followed PRISMA guidelines and included longitudinal empirical studies on the association between causal attributions and PTSD symptoms over time. A total of 13 articles were included in the review. Attributions were categorised as pertaining to 'locus', 'control', and 'consistency'. The findings indicate that maladaptive attributions, whether related to locus, control, or consistency, contribute to the persistence and severity of PTSD symptoms. For attributions regarding the origin of the traumatic event, an external locus of control with another person, as well as internal characterological self-blame, appeared to be maladaptive. In addition, for attributions regarding experiences during the traumatic event, low levels of experienced control, control options that were not (sufficiently) exercised, and high levels of perceived consistency appeared to be maladaptive. The review offers a nuanced and a comprehensive framework that enhances our understanding of how individuals perceive and interpret traumatic events, by recognising that attributions are complementary rather than mutually exclusive. This independency approach acknowledges the complexity of human cognition and highlights the importance of addressing deeply anchored maladaptive attributions in therapeutic interventions.

Purpose This article examines the empirical link between locus of control and volunteering for older adults. Design/methodology/approach We use cross-country panel data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), covering the period from 2010 to 2022 for people aged 50 and over. Findings We find a positive and significant relationship between internal locus of control and both volunteering participation and frequency. While there is a slight gender difference in the results for volunteering participation, internal locus of control is more strongly related to volunteering frequency of women than to that of men. Our heterogeneity results show that in all European regions (North, Central and South), the association between internal control and volunteering participation is positive and statistically significant. By contrast, the correlation with volunteering frequency is statistically significant only in southern Europe. Originality/value This article contributes to the literature in several ways. First, it introduces two distinct volunteering measures, participation and frequency, to separately capture the decision to volunteer and the intensity of involvement. Second, it provides the first comparative analysis of how locus of control influences volunteering across Northern, Central and Southern Europe, accounting for regional, cultural and organisational differences.

Mental health challenges among young people are a significant concern in the United Kingdom, with an estimated 16% of young people experiencing common mental health problems like anxiety and/or depression on any given day, yet only one in four of these are able to access mental health services. This study seeks to identify the key determinants influencing young people's mental health care utilization and to examine the experiences faced by those who do not engage with mental health services, using a co-produced adaptation of Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Care Utilization to analyze linked health care data from the NEXT STEPS cohort. Imputation addressed missing data, while logistic regression assessed need, enablers, and predispositions influencing care use. Key findings indicate that young people's mental health care utilization is primarily driven by clinically assessed need, while factors such as female gender, presence of psychiatric-level symptoms, limited social support, external locus of control, parental unemployment emerged as weaker predictors of service engagement. Young people with common mental health problems who had not accessed mental health services were less likely than service users to be female, live in single-parent households, have caring responsibilities, or report bullying, but were more likely to report positive parental relationships. Adults who had accessed mental health services as a young person experienced less favourable adult outcomes and quality of life relative to non-users. These findings highlight the need to reform youth mental health care models towards more inclusive, preventative, and holistic approaches.

The neurocognitive social-transactional model posits that interpersonal adversity during childhood heightens risk for mental health difficulties by altering how individuals engage with their social world. We conducted a scoping review to map current evidence for four candidate mechanisms, Trust, Mentalizing, Agency and Interpersonal Emotion Regulation (IER), linking interpersonal childhood adversity to mental health outcomes. We followed PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews and preregistered the protocol at https://osf.io/rt7cy. Through systematic searches, we identified quantitative studies that measured interpersonal Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), at least one candidate mechanism, and mental health outcomes in the same sample. A second reviewer independently assessed 10% of records at each screening stage. 78 studies met inclusion criteria. For Trust (15 studies), ACEs were associated with greater distrust and credulity which in turn predicted internalizing, externalizing and personality disorder symptoms. For Mentalizing (37 studies), they were associated with heightened uncertainty and reduced accuracy in understanding mental states, which was linked with internalizing, externalizing, psychosis and personality disorder symptoms. For Agency (26 studies), they were associated with a more external locus of control, which was associated with internalizing and psychosis symptoms. Evidence for IER was limited (3 studies) but suggested potential links to internalizing symptoms. Across mechanisms, findings were largely cross-sectional and based on self-report, with few longitudinal or task-based studies. Trust, Mentalizing and Agency emerged as promising transdiagnostic social-transactional mechanisms though which interpersonal childhood adversity may shape mental health outcomes, with more limited evidence for IER. Despite methodological gaps, these mechanisms may represent tractable targets for intervention research and trauma-informed clinical practice.

To explore the critical attributes of the concept of caregiver information needs in the context of dementia. Informal caregivers of patients with dementia need information in the postdiagnosis period; however, due to a lack of high-quality and available information, education, and support services, it is not really known what information needs are required specifically for caregivers to be successful. The eight-step concept analysis method of Walker and Avant was used to analyze this concept. Uses of the concept, defining attributes, antecedents, consequences, and empirical referents are presented. Case samples are provided to assist in understanding the defining attributes. Caregiver information needs in the context of dementia are defined as the dynamicity of facts that apply to the disease process of dementia and that replace the lack of something requisite with adequate and useable knowledge. Identified attributes were lack of something requisite and dynamicity. Access to knowledgeable providers, motivation to be a caregiver, and the ability to coordinate care are the antecedents to caregiver information needs. Consequences included caregiver burnout, quality of life, internal locus of control, and maintaining patients in their homes. Family caregivers need early, continuous, and stage-specific information that is usable to aid in their care abilities. Education and the timing of information must be tailored to meet families' unique needs rather than a "one size fits all" approach. This, coupled with continuity of care, can empower caregivers and persons with dementia to advocate for their changing needs. No patient or public contribution.