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
Peer reviewed, Journal article
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https://hdl.handle.net/11250/2829368Utgivelsesdato
2021Metadata
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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.
Keywords: Anxiety, COVID-19, Depression, Locus of control (LoC), Moderator analysis, Pandemic, PHQ-4