Locus of Control, Self-Control, and Gender as Predictors of Internalizing and Externalizing Problems in Children and Adolescents in Northern Chile

Abstract

Background: Both the control that people attribute to themselves over a situation (locus of control) and the control they attribute to themselves (self-control) have been proposed as aspects that can have an effect on internalizing problems in young people. There is little evidence of this relationship in the infantile-juvenile population in Latin America. Objective: To establish whether there is a significant predictive relationship of locus of control and self-control over internalizing and externalizing problems in the infantilejuvenile population, both at a general level and dimension-specific. These include depression, anxiety, social anxiety, somatic complaints, and post-traumatic stress. Methods: A cross-sectional-correlational study was carried out to establish if there was a possible predictive relationship in 3,664 schoolchildren of both primary (4th-6th grade) and secondary (7th-12th grade) in northern Chile, using the short version of the Nowicki-Strickland scale to measure locus of control, the Tangney scale to measure self-control, and the Child and Adolescent Evaluation System (SENA) to measure the dimensions of internalized problems. Hypotheses: (1) Greater self-control is associated with lower levels of internalizing and externalizing problems. (2) Higher external locus of control is associated with higher levels of internalizing and externalizing problems. (3) Self-control, locus of control, and gender can together significantly predict each of the internalizing and externalizing problems. Results: Evidence is found to support the first two hypotheses fully and partially support the third, since gender did not function as a predictor in all models. Conclusion: The results confirm previous international research in that both locus of control and self-control appear to have a significant influence on internalizing and externalizing problems. Implications for mental health promotion in this population are discussed.

The positive role of religiosity in dealing with academic dishonesty

“…In fact, the attributes inherent in a person are not the only locus of control and personality, but also self-control (Flores et al, 2020;Zhang et al, 2019). Self-control is a person's action of controlling the desire to commit a crime (Cochran et al, 1998).…”

“…This study does not test self-control to avoid a wider relationship among the moderating variables. Personality and locus of control are closely related to self-control (Flores et al, 2020;Zhang et al, 2019). Besides, this study employs the theory of planned behavior.…”

“Will my Young Adult Years be Spent Socially Distancing?”: A Qualitative Exploration of UK Adolescents’ Lockdown Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Participants described considerable loss of control and freedom alongside feelings of helplessness, both presently and regarding their futures. Locus of control, or the extent to which people perceive control over events in their lives, shows associations with wellbeing and mental health (Flores et al, 2020;Groth et al, 2019), and evidence suggests a highly external locus of control (when control is perceived as the "result of chance, fate, as under the control of powerful others, or as unpredictable because of the greater complexity of forces surrounding [them]" (Rotter, 1966;p.1) increases the likelihood of emotional di culties among adolescents (Flores et al, 2020), especially alongside high levels of stress (Huebner et al, 2001). It therefore follows that the loss of control that older adolescents experienced during the lockdown, coupled with a complex and stressful situation, uncertain futures, and plans dictated by powerful others such as the government, raised di cult feelings.…”

Relationships among Environmental Literacy, Locus of Control, and Future Orientation of STEM Students in the Philippines

“…Available literature shows that there have been few researchers who have embarked on the effects/relationships of gender on environmentalrelated components (e.g., Coyle, 2005;Hayes, 2001), locus of control (e.g., Flores et al, 2020;Sherman et al, 2007), and future orientation (e.g., Greene & DeBacker, 2004;Honora, 2002;Mello & Worrel, 2006). Their results suggest that gender can either have significant effects (Coyle, 2005;Flores et al, 2020;Greene & DeBacker, 2004;Honora, 2002;Sherman et al, 2007) or have no or little effect (Hayes, 2001, Mello & Worrel, 2006 to the previously mentioned areas.…”