Influence of Locus Control on Real and Perceived Relationships among Adolescents in Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the influences of locus of control on real and perceived relationships among adolescents using 300 participants. The population sample was incidentally drawn from 2 secondary schools in Awka town of Anambra State. Their ages ranged between 14-19 years with M age of 16.20 and SD age of 3.48. The participants included 200 females and 100 males. Two instruments were used for the study. They included the Nowicki-Strickland Internal – External Locus of Control Scale for children by Nowicki and Strickland (1973) and Emotional – Social Loneliness Inventory by Vincenzi and Grabosky, (1987). A cross sectional survey design was used while regression analysis and multivariate statistics were used in data analysis. The result of the study showed that locus of control is a moderate predictor of real and perceived relationship; B = 0.27 ( isolation) , B= 0.21( Loneliness). On other hand, locus control showed significant difference on real and perceived relationship respectively. Discussions and  recommendations of the study were done in line with the findings.

Keywords: locus of control, emotion, adolescence, interpersonal relationship.