Title

Relationships Among Locus of Control, Coping Behaviors, and Levels of Worry Following Exposure to Hurricanes

Authors

Authors

S. L. Scott; T. M. Carper; M. Middleton; R. White; K. Renk;A. Grills-Taquechel

Comments

Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

Abbreviated Journal Title

J. Loss Trauma

Keywords

EXTERNAL-CONTROL; STRESS; STRATEGIES; EXPECTANCIES; BELIEFS; Psychology, Social

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.

Journal Title

Journal of Loss & Trauma

Volume

15

Issue/Number

2

Publication Date

1-1-2010

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

123

Last Page

137

WOS Identifier

WOS:000275353000005

ISSN

1532-5024

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