Adolescents' knowledge of medical terminology and family health history.

Compared 309 youths (aged 10.4–15.7 yrs) and their parents with respect to comprehension of terms for 7 common medical disorders: heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis, ulcer, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. For two-thirds of the adolescents, accuracy of reporting of these disorders among the parents and grandparents was assessed. Results indicate considerable variation among disorders with respect to both comprehension of terms and accuracy of family health history. Adolescents' age was a major predictor of knowledge of medical terms. Age was not related to accuracy of family health information. Adolescents' level of accuracy regarding family health history was generally similar to that of previous adult samples, suggesting that family health information is acquired and retained at an early age. Adolescents were more accurate concerning parents' compared with grandparents' history of hypertension. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Health independence and developmental tasks of adulthood in cystic fibrosis.

Examined participation in health behaviors, health locus of control, and negotiation of developmental tasks of adulthood with 75 patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), aged 18–42 yrs old. Ss completed the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale. Results indicate there were a number of health behaviors for which Ss had not yet assumed responsibility, such as managing their medical insurance correspondence and monitoring nutrition. Ss reported that they were more compliant with their medical regimen currently than when first assuming responsibility for their health as adolescents. Multidimensional health locus of control profiles were similar to those of other chronic illness populations. Most Ss appeared to have successfully mastered adult developmental tasks, such as living independently, getting married, and attaining educational or vocational goals. Ss who continued to live with their parents tended to be younger. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Does adopted mean different? An attributional analysis.

46 adopted and 121 nonadopted Ss, aged 13–21 yrs and from upper-middle-class families, completed a series of attributional stories, Rotter's Internal–External Locus of Control Scale, and a perceived parenting questionnaire. Results indicate that attributions were different and that, contrary to expectations, adopted Ss were significantly more confident and viewed others more positively than nonadopted Ss. They also had a more internal locus of control than their nonadopted peers, and their adoptive parents were experienced as significantly more nurturant, comforting, predictable, protectively concerned, and helpful than were nonadoptive parents. It is suggested that an important correlate of attributional judgments is the parenting that is experienced. Results are discussed in terms of other studies that have reported an excessive number of adopted persons who have psychological problems. (51 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Role of health locus of control beliefs and expectations of treatment efficacy in adjustment to cancer.

Examined the effects of health locus of control beliefs (self-, doctor, and chance control) and expectations of treatment efficacy on short-term psychological adjustment in 137 18–86 yr old newly diagnosed cancer patients. The role of these beliefs and expectations in moderating the relation between perceived and actual disease severity and depression was also examined. Ss completed an intake questionnaire assessing the perceived severity of illness, the amount of pain or discomfort they were experiencing, how sad or depressed they were, and expectations about complying with medication instructions; Ss also completed items from Rotter's Internal–External Locus of Control Scale, the Multi-Dimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, and the Self-Rating Depression Scale. The relation between perceptions of disease severity and depression was weaker for Ss who believed that they could personally control their health and for those who held positive expectations about the effects of complying with medical treatment. Similar patterns were found when disease severity was defined in terms of prognosis for survival. Strong negative correlations between self-control/treatment expectations and depression were found for Ss who perceived that their illness was severe. The results for chance and doctor control were less consistent. The stability of health control beliefs and treatment expectations over the course of a serious long-term illness is discussed. (34 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development and validation of the Health Locus of Control (HLC) Scale.

Describes the Health Locus of Control (HLC) Scale, an area-specific measure of expectancies regarding locus of control developed for prediction of health-related behavior. Two validation studies, one with 44 male and 44 female college students and the other with 34 overweight women, demonstrated the discriminant validity of the HLC in contrast with Rotter's Internal-External Control Scale. In Study 1, HLC internals who value health highly sought more information than other Ss. In Study 2, Ss in weight reduction programs consistent with their locus of control beliefs (as assessed by the HLC scale) were more satisfied with the programs than were "mismatched" Ss. Normative data on the HLC are provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Occupational stress, locus of control and health among men in a prairie province.

Analyzed the health-related consequences of occupational stress in 854 Saskatchewan adult male employees. The moderator effects of locus of control on stress-outcome relationships were also examined, as were interoccupational differences in the perception of job stress. Ss were administered the James Internal–External Locus of Control Scale and the General Health Questionnaire. Results confirm expected occupational group differences in the perceptions of stress. Stress was related to job strains, general health, and alcohol consumption. Locus of control moderator effects were, for the most part, limited to interpersonal support-seeking behaviors. (French abstract) (22 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Internal-external control and attitude toward disability.

Results in 160 male students divided into internal, middle, and external locus of control groups (Rotter's Internal–External Locus of Control Scale) indicate that internal Ss did not differentiate between disabled and nondisabled employees, whereas external Ss did make such a differentiation. The externals' distinction, however, was in evaluating the disabled employee more positively rather than more negatively, as predicted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Perceived self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, and negative mood states in end-stage renal disease.

Tested A. Bandura's (1977) social learning theory, which hypothesizes that the joint experience of weak efficacy and strong outcome expectancies induces negative mood states. 70 end-stage renal disease patients served as Ss. Perceived self-efficacy was measured via Ss' self-rated control over health and over life in general. Outcome expectancies were assessed on Rotter's Internal–External Locus of Control Scale and the Health Locus of Control Scale. The 3 dependent variables were Ss' scores on the Beck Depression Inventory, Self-Esteem Inventory, and self-ratings of helplessness. Data were analyzed using a hierarchical multiple-regression strategy. The efficacy and outcome measures each correlated significantly and uniquely with the 3 dependent variables. Weaker efficacy and weaker outcome expectancies were associated with increased depression, lower self-esteem, and subjective feelings of helplessness. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Correlates of children's long-term adjustment to their parents' divorce.

Assessed the nature and correlates of adjustment to divorce in a sample of 58 White, middle-class, 8–17 yr old children whose parents had been separated about 4 yrs. Ss were administered a battery of tests, including the California Psychological Inventory, the Adjective Check List, the Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale for Children, and a questionnaire on divorce adjustment. Measures of Ss' understanding of and feelings about the divorce were nonsignificantly related only to Ss' positive feelings about the divorce. Ss' understanding of the divorce did not reveal great difficulty of adjustment; however, feelings about the divorce were largely negative. A 2-yr follow-up of 24 Ss and 14 of their siblings revealed moderate stability in Ss' divorce adjustment with significant increases in their positive feelings regarding the loss of the noncustodial parent and peer relations. Locus of Control and Interpersonal Reasoning were significant predictors of divorce adjustment independent of age. Finally, specific adjustment to divorce was related to Ss' more global personal adjustment. (62 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A study of rehabilitation counselors: Locus of control and attitudes toward the poor.

Studied the interrelationships among locus of control, attitudes toward the poor, attitudes toward the supervisor, job satisfaction, and the performance ratings of 90 practicing rehabilitation counselors (mean age 36 yrs). Ss were surveyed with a battery of attitude questionnaires, including Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control Scale and the MacDonald Poverty Scale. Results indicate that Ss with an internal orientation had more positive attitudes toward the poor than Ss with an external orientation. It was further observed that internally oriented Ss received higher performance ratings than the externally oriented. Internal orientation was associated with higher job morale, greater job satisfaction, and more positive attitudes toward supervisors. Implications of the findings are discussed in the context of client-counselor relationships and of the consequence that these data may have in counselor preservice and inservice training. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Direct and nondirect marathon group therapy and internal-external control.

Investigated whether direct and nondirect therapist techniques within a 23-hr marathon format would differentially induce client shifts in locus of control (as measured by Rotter's Locus of Control Scale). Ss were 84 female narcotic addicts. The no-treatment control group experienced a significant shift toward externality, while the marathon Ss did not fluctuate significantly from pre- to posttherapy. No significant difference in shift was found between the direct and nondirect treatment conditions. A significant Periods * Locus of Control * Treatment Conditions interaction showed that internal Ss in the direct and control conditions shifted significantly toward externality. Future studies need to investigate whether a posttherapy shift in locus of control is associated with changes on other personality measures. (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Delay of gratification and internal locus of control in children.

Administered the S. Nowicki and B. Strickland Locus of Control Scale for Children to 76 male and 76 female 3rd-5th graders. Ss were then given the choice of 1 lollipop immediately or 3 lollipops in 2 wk. Age and sex were not related to reward choice. Internal Ss were significantly more likely to choose delayed reward (p     

Psychological effects of intestinal bypass surgery.

In 2 experiments 117 preoperative and postoperative intestinal bypass female patients (mean age 35.2 yrs) were administered the MMPI, Tennessee Self-Concept Scale, Rotter's Internal–External Locus of Control Scale, and the Marlowe–Crowne Social Desirability Scale 4 mo before, and 1 or 2 yrs after, surgery. Postoperative Ss showed a significant increase in physical self-concept though it was significantly below normative values. There was a general elevation of scores of MMPI scales before surgery. Scores on the Depression and Hysteria scales decreased significantly, and scores on most other MMPI scales declined toward normative values after surgery. Before and after surgery, Ss did not differ from normative groups in degree of externality or in their willingness to make socially desirable responses. (39 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Locus of control, self-esteem, stimulus appraisal, and depressive symptoms in children.

Self-esteem, locus of control, stimulus appraisal, and depressive symptoms, which are related to depression in adults, were investigated in 225 5th and 6th graders. Ss completed the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale, Children's Locus of Control Scale, and Moyal-Miezitis Stimulus Appraisal Scale. Grade and sex effects were not significant. All other intervariable correlations were significant and are consistent with research at the adult level. Results are discussed in terms of the helplessness model of depression and in terms of implications for studying childhood depression. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Imaginary audience behavior in children and adolescents.

The Imaginary Audience Scale (IAS), consisting of 2 subscales—the Transient Self (TS) and the Abiding Self (AS) scale—was administered to 697 Ss at the 4th-, 6th-, 8th-, and 12th-grade levels. The scale assesses young people's willingness to reveal different facets of themselves to an audience. Some of the Ss were given the test twice to obtain reliability data, and some of the other Ss were also tested on measures of self-esteem and locus of control (e.g., Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory, Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale, Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale for Children) to obtain validity data. Results show that the IAS has reasonable reliability and construct validity. Results also show that 8th graders were significantly less willing than older or younger Ss to reveal their transient and abiding selves to an audience. Girls tended to be more reluctant than boys to reveal themselves to an audience. Results support the imaginary audience construct and warrant further use of the IAS. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Locus of control in university students from Eastern and Western societies.

Administered the Rotter Internal-External Locus of Control (I-E) Scale to male and female students in Eastern, Western, and Middle-Eastern societies. Data from about 120 Ss in each of 8 countries (Japan, India, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, the US, and Israel) were subjected to analysis of variance. Significant Sex (p     

Exposure-based integrated vs. pure psychodynamic treatment of agoraphobic inpatients.

Compared treatment outcomes for 19 agoraphobic inpatients who received either integrated, exposure-based, behavioral-psychodynamic treatment (IT) or general psychodynamic therapy (PT). All Ss completed an agoraphobic cognitions scale, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, and a phobic avoidance rating scale after admission to the hospital and 11 wks later at discharge. Both IT and PT Ss improved significantly on almost all measures. Changes in IT Ss were relatively stable at a 1-yr follow-up, while PT Ss showed significant relapse. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Locus of control in Mexicans and Chicanos: The case of the missing fatalist.

Studied the extent to which a stereotype of Mexican or Chicano students as fatalistic is supported by their locus of control scores. Data came from Rotter's Internal–External Locus of Control Scale scores of male college students in 4 nations: US (86), Mexico (57), Ireland (47), and West Germany (54). Data show the Mexican Ss to be significantly more internally oriented than Ss from each of the other nations. Locus of control scores (determined with a scale developed by H. Levenson, 1974) for 151 Anglo and 95 Chicano senior high school students were also compared. Scores for Chicanos were nearly identical to those obtained from Anglo students. Only Chicano male high school students not planning to enter college showed any tendency toward a more external locus of control. It is concluded that to the extent a perceived external locus of control would be indicative of a fatalistic outlook, such perception is lacking in most data in Mexican and Chicano respondents. (22 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Longitudinal study of attitude development in pre-, early, and later adolescent samples.

Examined changes in attitude over a 1-yr period in 382 pre-, early, and later adolescent Ss. Attitudes toward self (i.e., self-esteem—Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory), toward events and one's ability to control them (i.e., locus of control—Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale), and toward achievement (i.e., achievement motivation—Prestatie Motivatie Test) were examined. Results do not support the hypothesis that early adolescence is a time of dramatic change in important attitudes and perceptions. Instead, the amount of attitudinal change evidenced by Ss at each age level varied with the kind of attitude being assessed. (25 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effects of personality–situation congruence in a managerial context: Locus of control and budgetary participation.

46 undergraduate business school students and 48 middle-level management personnel from a large manufacturing company participated in an examination of the impact of locus of control on the relationship between budgetary participation and performance. Rotter's Internal–External Locus of Control (LOC) Scale was administered. Results indicate that internally-oriented Ss performed best in conditions of high participation (corresponding to substantial situational control), and externally-oriented Ss performed best in conditions of low participation (corresponding to limited situational control). Ss in these 2 highest performing groups indicated more enjoyment in the experimental task than Ss in less-preferred or incongruent conditions. Findings also show that task performance was subject to the interaction between generalized expectancies in terms of LOC and the source of control in a particular situation. The implications of these results for personnel selection and placement in organizations are discussed. (40 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)