Relationships Among Locus of Control, Coping Behaviors, and Levels of Worry Following Exposure to Hurricanes
Year: 2010
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: To explore the relationships among locus of control, coping behaviors, and levels of worry following exposure to hurricanes, the current study examines the responses of college students who were exposed to one or more hurricanes affecting central Florida in 2004. The results show that an external locus of control is related significantly and positively to avoidant coping behaviors. External locus of control and different types of coping behaviors (i.e., problem-focused, emotion-focused, and avoidant coping) also are related significantly and positively to levels of worry. Finally, in regression analyses, avoidant coping behaviors are a partial mediator in the relationship between locus of control and worry, and worry is a partial mediator in the relationship between locus of control and avoidant coping behaviors. Our findings suggest the importance of examining individuals' explanations for the major events that occur in their lives, so that these explanations can be examined in psychological interventions.
Source: Journal of Loss and Trauma
Institutions: University of Central Florida, University of Houston
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2031241775