Locus of control moderates the association of COVID-19 stress and general mental distress: results of a Norwegian and a German-speaking cross-sectional survey
Abstract Background An internal locus of control (LoC I) refers to the belief that the outcome of events in one’s life is contingent upon one’s actions, whereas an external locus of control (LoC E) describes the belief that chance and powerful others control one’s life. This study investigated wheth...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-09-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03418-5 |
| _version_ | 1819129280643203072 |
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| author | Henning Krampe Lars Johan Danbolt Annie Haver Gry Stålsett Tatjana Schnell |
| author_facet | Henning Krampe Lars Johan Danbolt Annie Haver Gry Stålsett Tatjana Schnell |
| author_sort | Henning Krampe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background An internal locus of control (LoC I) refers to the belief that the outcome of events in one’s life is contingent upon one’s actions, whereas an external locus of control (LoC E) describes the belief that chance and powerful others control one’s life. This study investigated whether LoC I and LoC E moderated the relationship between COVID-19 stress and general mental distress in the general population during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This cross-sectional survey study analysed data from a Norwegian (n = 1225) and a German-speaking sample (n = 1527). We measured LoC with the Locus of Control-4 Scale (IE-4), COVID-19 stress with a scale developed for this purpose, and mental distress with the Patient Health Questionnaire 4 (PHQ-4). Moderation analyses were conducted using the PROCESS macro for SPSS. Results The association between COVID-19 stress and general mental distress was strong (r = .61 and r = .55 for the Norwegian and the German-speaking sample, respectively). In both samples, LoC showed substantial moderation effects. LoC I served as a buffer (p < .001), and LoC E exacerbated (p < .001) the relation between COVID-19 stress and general mental distress. Conclusions The data suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic is easier to bear for people who, despite pandemic-related strains, feel that they generally have influence over their own lives. An external locus of control, conversely, is associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety. The prevention of mental distress may be supported by enabling a sense of control through citizen participation in policy decisions and transparent explanation in their implementation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T08:41:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a47e8d289e984f28ae6ca7604b84b5c1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-244X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T08:41:13Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-a47e8d289e984f28ae6ca7604b84b5c12022-12-21T18:32:13ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2021-09-0121111310.1186/s12888-021-03418-5Locus of control moderates the association of COVID-19 stress and general mental distress: results of a Norwegian and a German-speaking cross-sectional surveyHenning Krampe0Lars Johan Danbolt1Annie Haver2Gry Stålsett3Tatjana Schnell4Department of Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care Medicine (CCM, CVK), Charité - Universitätsmedizin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of HealthPractical Theology, MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and SocietyFaculty of Social Sciences, Norwegian School of Hotel Management, University of StavangerSocial Sciences, MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and SocietySocial Sciences, MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and SocietyAbstract Background An internal locus of control (LoC I) refers to the belief that the outcome of events in one’s life is contingent upon one’s actions, whereas an external locus of control (LoC E) describes the belief that chance and powerful others control one’s life. This study investigated whether LoC I and LoC E moderated the relationship between COVID-19 stress and general mental distress in the general population during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This cross-sectional survey study analysed data from a Norwegian (n = 1225) and a German-speaking sample (n = 1527). We measured LoC with the Locus of Control-4 Scale (IE-4), COVID-19 stress with a scale developed for this purpose, and mental distress with the Patient Health Questionnaire 4 (PHQ-4). Moderation analyses were conducted using the PROCESS macro for SPSS. Results The association between COVID-19 stress and general mental distress was strong (r = .61 and r = .55 for the Norwegian and the German-speaking sample, respectively). In both samples, LoC showed substantial moderation effects. LoC I served as a buffer (p < .001), and LoC E exacerbated (p < .001) the relation between COVID-19 stress and general mental distress. Conclusions The data suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic is easier to bear for people who, despite pandemic-related strains, feel that they generally have influence over their own lives. An external locus of control, conversely, is associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety. The prevention of mental distress may be supported by enabling a sense of control through citizen participation in policy decisions and transparent explanation in their implementation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03418-5AnxietyCOVID-19DepressionLocus of control (LoC)Moderator analysisPandemic |
| spellingShingle | Henning Krampe Lars Johan Danbolt Annie Haver Gry Stålsett Tatjana Schnell Locus of control moderates the association of COVID-19 stress and general mental distress: results of a Norwegian and a German-speaking cross-sectional survey BMC Psychiatry Anxiety COVID-19 Depression Locus of control (LoC) Moderator analysis Pandemic |
| title | Locus of control moderates the association of COVID-19 stress and general mental distress: results of a Norwegian and a German-speaking cross-sectional survey |
| title_full | Locus of control moderates the association of COVID-19 stress and general mental distress: results of a Norwegian and a German-speaking cross-sectional survey |
| title_fullStr | Locus of control moderates the association of COVID-19 stress and general mental distress: results of a Norwegian and a German-speaking cross-sectional survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Locus of control moderates the association of COVID-19 stress and general mental distress: results of a Norwegian and a German-speaking cross-sectional survey |
| title_short | Locus of control moderates the association of COVID-19 stress and general mental distress: results of a Norwegian and a German-speaking cross-sectional survey |
| title_sort | locus of control moderates the association of covid 19 stress and general mental distress results of a norwegian and a german speaking cross sectional survey |
| topic | Anxiety COVID-19 Depression Locus of control (LoC) Moderator analysis Pandemic |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03418-5 |
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