External Locus of Control: A Moderator of Positive and Negative Religious Coping and Internalizing Symptoms

• In Event: Stress and Coping: Mental Health and Adjustment

Abstract

A growing area of research involves determining which variables might serve as protective and vulnerability factors for individuals who have been exposed to traumatic events. The present study sought to investigate the independent and intersecting influences of religious coping and locus of control on individuals’ adjustment following exposure to a natural disaster (hurricane). Questionnaires were administered to 193 college students to examine internalizing symptoms, religious coping, and external locus of control. Positive and negative religious coping and locus of control were each associated with internalizing symptoms. External locus of control emerged as a moderator for the negative religious coping-internalizing symptoms association. Findings will be discussed in terms of treatment and research implications for school-based and community practitioners.

Authors

• Yerang Lee, Boston University

• Amie E. Grills, Boston University

• Shannon Bruno