Examines the psychological consequences of youth unemployment so as to develop understanding of the processes. Results indicate that the experience of unemployment itself is the main factor contributing to increased levels of distress. Feelings of lack of control and attributing responsibility for employment to external factors increase the impact…

Shift and stability of locus of control were examined in a sample of 84 adolescent students, using the Delta questionnaire. Data were analyzed using locus of control as the dependent variable. Independent variables were sex, type of locus of control, and school achievement. Overall findings indicate adolescence is a period of relative stability of…

Findings from two studies investigating sources of variations in perceived control appraisals of parents involved in a family-centered early intervention/family support program are described. Results indicated that parent, family, and child characteristics were not related to differences in control appraisals. Practitioner help-giving styles and…

Developed a multifaceted definition of the intrapersonal component of empowerment, based on a review and synthesis of selected expository and empirical literature. Consisting of 20 dimensions, each with a standard definition of the construct, the model may be useful in facilitating discussions, developing training programs, and constructing…

This study explored the effects of portfolio assessment on locus of control among 90 eighth-graders with and without disabilities. Results indicated that all participants scored more internally oriented in terms of locus of control than those not involved in portfolio assessment. (Contains references.) (Author/PB)

Surveys of 371 European American, African American, Mexican American, Vietnamese American, and Armenian American adolescents in ethnically diverse high schools in Los Angeles found that most adolescents set high goals for the future and expected to reach them. Compared to European American adolescents, minority group adolescents attributed…

Investigated attitudes toward rape victims held by 144 undergraduates. Results showed that: (1) sympathy effect occurred for female victims, with both male and female raters; (2) masculine and undifferentiated raters showed sympathy effect whereas feminine and androgynous subjects did not; and (3) victims were attributed internal locus of…

Causal ascriptions for anticipated goal attainment and the emotional consequences of such ascriptions were studied in 731 college students answering questionnaires. Internal and external attributions were made for past outcomes. Subjects felt that internal factors accounted more for success, and external, for failure. (SLD)

Developed student-centered method of health education in which health issues and activities were determined by students themselves. Compared to control group (N=47), experimental group students (N=51) scored more favorably on clarification of individual health issues, reported health-enhancing activities, and self-esteem. Intervention appeared to…

Presents a matrix that suggests that workplace health promotion and employee assistance programs may represent employer involvement in areas over which they have no legitimate control. (JOW)

Thirty-four adolescents with learning disabilities received either spelling strategy training, spelling strategy plus attribution training, or a control condition. Significant differences in spelling recall scores favored the strategy training condition. Addition of the attribution training resulted in no observable improvement in spelling…

This exploratory, cross-sectional study examined the impact of independent variables on the adult development cycle of 33 African-American professionals. Shifts in locus of control and life themes and the impact of racism on locus of control were focuses of the inquiry. Implications for diagnosis and intervention are discussed. (SLD)

Internal consistency, convergent, and discriminant validity coefficients and replicability of the factor structure were studied for previously validated locus of control (LOC) and achievement-need scales administered to 192 graduate students. Results indicated adequate internal consistency for the LOC scale and convergent, but not discriminant,…

Attribution theory provides the cornerstone for an examination of victim self-blame in clinical and research literature. It is argued that other-blame often is presented as the preferable attributional outcome for abuse victims, while the empirical evidence is less than supportive of this claim. Suggestions are offered for further research. (JPS)

Psychological and sexual variables were compared for white women, ages 18 through 22, who did (n=41) or did not (n=400) report prior forced sexual intercourse (FSI). Those who had FSI had lower internal locus of control and higher depression scores and needed and received more psychological help than those not reporting FSI. (Author/SW)