This study found that, compared to nonmaltreated children, 19 children (ages 8-13) who had been physically and emotionally abused by their parents showed greater depressive symptomatology, including feelings of sadness, lower self-esteem and self-worth, and perceived lack of control over aversive events (helplessness). (Author/JDD)

Measures of career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMSE), occupational self-efficacy, locus of control, and career salience and indecision were administered to 203 female and 204 male college students. CDMSE was found to be the only significant predictor of vocational indecision. No relationship was observed between CDMSE and career salience nor…

Comparison of 502 former and 148 active participants in a prevocational intervention for at-risk students and 157 at-risk nonparticipants found (1) comparable dropout rates, self-concept scores, and reading and math achievement; (2) decline in participants' grades and attendance after the program; and (3) higher degrees of internality in cognitive…

Two studies compared primary and secondary control beliefs of adolescents living in modern cultures (Germans, North Americans, Jewish Israelis) with those of adolescents in cultures undergoing a transition to modernity (Malaysians, Israeli Druzes). Found that adolescents from transitional cultures endorsed secondary control beliefs to a greater…

Examines 178 gifted Texas children to determine differences in their health locus of control. Results provide evidence that gifted children, in general, may be less prone to adolescent health-risk behaviors than nongifted children. Findings suggest revision in both school health curricula and instructional practices for gifted children. (GLR)

Examined age differences in attributions for self-reported successes and failures in important and daily situations. Attributions and affects were collected from 61 young, 21 middle-aged, and 15 older adults. Middle-aged and older adults were more likely than young adults to attribute failure to external causes and to describe more social than…

This commentary examines at-risk students who are seen as in danger of losing control of their lives because of external loci of control and society's lack of coherent self-control. At-risk students are considered to be suitable candidates for intervention as much as students with more conventional disabilities. (PB)

Factor analysis problems of scales with dichotomous items were illustrated using the Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale for Children. A different solution than that of R. E. Lindal and P. H. Venables (1983) was obtained, despite using similar samples--2 random samples of 671 and 674 male seventh and eighth graders. (SLD)

Describes study of preservice teachers that measured their attitudes toward computers and their perception of locus of control over factors which determine academic success. Computer literacy is discussed, hypotheses tested are explained, and the scales used to measure computer attitudes and locus of control are described. (32 references) (LRW)

Discusses constructivist uses of production rule expert systems that may be used to support learning for secondary and higher education. Highlights include locus of control; and objectivist and constructivist applications of expert systems as intelligent tutoring systems, as feedback systems, as personal knowledge representation tools, and for…

Examined relationship between academic comfort and occupational orientation, and between academic comfort and persistence for 68 ethnically diverse students. Results from 41 African-American, 12 Hispanic, and 12 white students showed significant relationships between comfort and occupational orientation and introversion-extroversion. Three-year…

Examined Israeli adolescents' responses to impending unconventional warfare by administering Nuclear Threat Index to 269 junior high school students 2 months prior to Persian Gulf War. Younger adolescents and females reported more activity, pessimistic thoughts, and concerns than older adolescents and males, respectively; and "internal"…

Describes a competence/risk theory that hypothesizes that people can use personal competence to influence the probabilities of success or failure in an adventure, providing their perceptions are correct. In a series of linked pathways and feedback loops, a model illustrates the impact of a risk-taking activity on the participant's emotional and…

Study examined causes of and differences in stress and burnout among British teachers. Surveys indicated that teachers had low anxiety, stress, and burnout levels, though individual, environmental, and psychological factors correlated with stress and burnout. Although individual stress and burnout management is important, there must be action to…

Examined knowledge about medicines and perceived benefit among 101 children, ages 7 and 10. Found that medicine knowledge was explained using age, educational environment, and degree of internal locus of control as significant predictors. The negative effect of internal locus of control predicted perceived benefit. Retention of drug advertising…