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Locus of control, depression, and anger among African-Americans
Depression and belief in external control correlated in African-American students, but only if they scored low on specific hostility measures. This finding supports previous research on locus of control and hostility.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Locus of control (LOC) influences how individuals perceive responsibility for events.
- Hostility is a personality trait linked to various psychological outcomes.
- Previous research suggests a relationship between LOC, depression, and hostility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between locus of control, depression, and hostility in African-American college students.
- To determine if hostility levels moderate the association between locus of control and depression.
Main Methods:
- Administered measures of locus of control, depression, and hostility (Buss and Durkee Hostility Inventory) to 98 African-American college students.
- Analyzed correlations between depression, belief in control by powerful others, and specific hostility subscales (Assaultive, Verbal, Indirect).
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was found between depression and belief in control by powerful others, but only among students with low scores on Assaultive, Verbal, and Indirect Hostility.
- This specific correlation pattern was observed in a sample of nonwhite subjects.
Conclusions:
- Hostility levels appear to moderate the relationship between external locus of control and depression in African-American college students.
- Findings replicate and extend previous research by specifying the role of hostility in this psychological association within a diverse sample.
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