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Change in Locus of Control Following Admission in Adolescent In-patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Jane Roberts ,
Christine Zachorchemny  and
Jessica Cohen
Jane Roberts*
Affiliation:
Child and Family Department, Tavistock Clinic, 120 Belsize Lane, London NW3 5BA
Christine Zachorchemny
Affiliation:
Hill End Adolescent Unit, Hill End Hospital, St Albans, Herts AL4 0RB
Jessica Cohen
Affiliation:
Hill End Adolescent Unit, Hill End Hospital, St Albans, Herts AL4 0RB
*
∗Correspondence
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Abstract

A multidimensional measure of children's perception of control was administered to 56 adolescents before and after admission. Different sources of control (‘internal’, ‘powerful others' and ‘unknown’) were analysed by domain (sphere of behaviour) and outcome (‘success' or ‘failure’). There were changes across domain and outcome for all three sources of control with significant changes away from ‘powerful others' and ‘unknown’ control. The trend towards internality was also evident in significant changes in the adolescents' perceptions in the ‘general’ domain and for a ‘success' outcome. Changes towards ‘internal’ source of control were associated with higher cognitive ability, whereas changes away from ‘powerful others' were most marked in girls, and changes away from ‘unknown’ were greatest in the older adolescents. These preliminary observations may help us understand beneficial effects of in-patient care and plan strategies for sustained change in these patients.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 161 , Issue 6 , December 1992 , pp. 809 - 815
Copyright
Copyright © 1992 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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