Locus of Control (LOC), a measure of the degree to which one perceives control of one’s life to be internally- vs. externally-determined, was reviewed in 33,224 adults across 18 cultural regions in literature spanning 40 years. Researchers found that the relationship between LOC and psychological symptoms differed between cultures with distinct individualistic vs. collectivist orientations. The the study found that the link between external LOC and and anxiety was weaker in collectivist societies, and notes that external LOC does not carry the same negative connotations in these cultures. The study was released online on May 31, 2012 by Psychological Bulletin.
Cheng, C. Cheung, S.F. Chio, J.H. Chan, M.P; “Cultural Meaning of Perceived Control: A Meta-Analysis of Locus of Control and Psychological Symptoms Across 18 Cultural Regions” Psychological Bulletin, released online May 28, 2012
