The high incidence of abortion and pregnancy among college students is indicative of their increasing rate of sexual activity. College students refute the use of contraceptives for reasons which include: (1) difficulty in acknowledging oneself and others as sexual beings; and (2) shame and guilt over sexual activities. (JN)

Presented is evidence bearing on the construct validity of the Estimate of Self-Competence (ESC) Scale, which was designed to measure generalized expectancy of task success. The results of correlational analyses of relationships between the ESC, expectancies of successful performance, and other measures are reported. (Author/AL)

Investigated the relationship between locus of control and achievement, and the relationship of locus control and attrition with adult students (N=86) in an upgrading program. Found a significant difference between the internal and external groups in attrition with the internal individuals demonstrating a greater degree of persistence. (Author)

Examined the relations among self-esteem, perceived competency to cope, and actual coping behaviors following a threat communication. Manipulated threat level of a tetanus communication and fear level of an antismoking film. Results indicated low-esteem subjects showed coping deficits in both experiments, with positive feedback reversing the…

Described a behavioral parent training program presented in a manner either congruent or incongruent with participant's locus of control orientation. Interactions between locus of control and presentation mode were formed for management skills and child behavior. Results indicated greater positive attitudinal changes were realized by parents in…

Discusses two important theoretical notions about work training and adjustment: (1) a theory of career development by Crites and Super and (2) Rotter's social learning theory, as it relates to locus of control. The focus of the discussion is on recent research demonstrating the relationship between the two variables. (Author)

Proposes that the internal locus of control and responsibility world view are most characteristic of western counseling approaches and assumptions. Cultural oppression occurs when this world view is blindly imposed upon the culturally different client. Implications of world views are discussed with respect to counseling in the United States.…

People who made voluntary, radical occupational changes in mid-career were interviewed and compared with people remaining in matched occupations. Obstacles to change were mostly financial. Personal beliefs about control one has over life and one's ability to succeed in new areas determine whether obstacles deter change. (Author/BEF)

A study of college students showed those who consider themselves religious have higher locus of control and low alienation. These positive mental health factors may assist counselors in helping clients be aware of their own inner resources by tapping both psychological and theological aspects. (JAC)

Reports on effects of Individualized Goal Setting (IGS) Audio Tutorial (AT) instruction compared to classic AT instruction and effects of pretesting compared to no pretesting on students' locus of control. Indicates no significant effect on students' locus of control between IGS-AT v AT or between pretesting v no pretesting. (DS)

Investigated relationship between locus of control and marital stability of young men. Factors derived from locus of control measures included leadership, personal, and fate scales. Results indicated the only significant difference was on the leadership scale between men remaining married and those who did not. (RC)

In this study with 240 introductory psychology students, ten interpretable independent dimensions of satisfaction with life were extracted with six factors that loaded on the PIL and four that loaded on the SONG, supporting Crumbaugh's assertion that the SONG is a complementary scale to the PIL. (Author/SJL)

The Purpose in Life (PIL) measures more than absence of depression and internalized perceived locus of psychological reinforcement. Depressed external individuals are more identifiable from their existential malaise or emptyness. The experience of reinforcement for being in the world is beyond their control. (Author)

Patients high in alientation and distrust may be poor compliers. Because only the somatic concern dimension predicted outcome, a single scale that measures this characteristic may be sufficient for effective identification of the potential good v poor responders to conservative treatment of low back pain. (Author)