Home-career conflict x locus-of-control in women: An interactional model for understanding the role of mediating variables in psychological adjustment

The study tested: (a) linear, and (b) curvilinear relationships between Locus of Control and Psychological Adjustment and to compare and explore: (c) the strength of the relationships of Locus of Control, demographic variables, and H-C Conflict to Psychological Adjustment through the use of Levenson's Multidimensional Locus of Control Scale (LMLS), Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Home-Career Conflict Scale (H-C Conflict Scale), and a Background Information Survey. Three models for the relationship of Locus of Control to Psychological Adjustment are discussed: Linear, Curvilinear, and Discrepancy. Surveys containing the LMLS, BSI, H-C Conflict Scale, and Background Information Survey were administered to (N = 94) undergraduate and graduate women at a major midwestern university. Seventy-eight surveys were administered in groups to undergraduate women enrolled in Educational Psychology courses, and 16 were administered individually to undergraduate and graduate women seeking services at a campus mental health center. The resulting scores were analyzed using Pearson correlations, and multiple regression. It was expected that no linear or curvilinear relationships would be found between demographic variables, LOC, H-C Conflict, and Psychological Adjustment. Two possible models for the relationship between H-C Conflict and Locus of Control were discussed (Conflict, and Passive), and it was expected that H-C Conflict would be a stronger predictor of Psychological Adjustment than Locus of Control or demographic variables. Expectations of the study were not entirely supported. No curvilinear relationships were found, but a weak linear relationship was found between Chance Happenings Locus of Control and Psychological Adjustment, and Home-Career Conflict was not found to be a stronger predictor of psychological adjustment than either Locus of Control or demographic variables. Significant correlations were found between demographic variables, Locus of Control, and Home-Career Conflict. Post Hoc analysis found support for Home-Career Conflict being a mediating variable in the relationship between Locus of Control and Psychological Adjustment. Post Hoc regression analyses showed significant differences between two groups (i.e., those with Home-Career Conflict, those without Home-Career Conflict) in the relationship of Locus of Control to Psychological Adjustment. Implications for treatment of Home-Career Conflict and future research are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Education

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Desser, Cathleen Mary

Contributors dc:contributor

• Farmer, Helen S.

• Psychology, Behavioral
• Women's Studies
• Psychology, Personality
• Psychology, Psychometrics

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1991 Desser, Cathleen Mary

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9210783
(UMI)AAI9210783

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/23173