Locus of control and avoidant coping: direct, interactional and mediational effects on maladjustment in adolescents

This study examined the association of locus of control (LOC) and avoidant coping (AVC) with anxiety/depression (ANX/DEP) in terms of additive, interactional and mediational models. A total of 468 male and female subjects between 14 and 17 years of age completed questionnaires covering LOC, AVC and ANX/DEP. Results showed that both LOC and AVC were directly related to ANX/DEP. Among males, as LOC increased in externality, the level of ANX/DEP increased for those with low AVC, but decreased for those with high AVC. For females, the interaction between LOC and AVC did not influence the level of ANX/DEP. Results also showed partial mediation by LOC on the relation between AVC and ANX/DEP, and partial mediation by AVC on the relation between LOC and ANX/DEP. These findings are discussed in terms of how LOC and AVC are related to adolescent maladjustment.