Locus of Control of reinforcement (LOC) has been shown to have far reaching effects in academic and professional achievement, as well as mental and physical health and well-being. In brief, those considered internally controlled (i.e. belief that an outcome is mainly contingent upon their own choices and behaviour) have better outcomes in all areas than those who are more externally controlled (believing what they do makes little difference, and everything is down to luck, chance or powerful others).
Previous research has identified that there is stability in adult LOC over time, however, adolescent LOC is more volatile because of faster and extensive emotional and physical changes.
LOC is important as it has been shown to have an effect almost every aspect of life (on educational achievement, business/employment, financial security, physical and mental health and even mortality (internality predicting better outcomes)). There appears to be no research conducted to date that specifically looks at whether early or late onset of puberty changes an adolescent’s orientation from that at pre- to post-puberty.
LOC was collected from ALSPAC offspring participants at the ages of 8 (n=), 16 (n=) and 27 years (n=). Puberty questionnaires were administered annually between the ages of 8 and 17 years. SITAR calculations of height to derive age at peak height velocity were also available. From the data available we will ascertain the age at which puberty starts and if this has an impact on LOC internality post-puberty.
Aims:
To ascertain whether pubertal timing affects LOC orientation at 16, and whether this remains stable or moves towards internality by age 27.
Are there lasting effects of LOC/pubertal timing on outcomes at age 27+ (including risky behaviours, educational achievement, financial security, criminality, depression and anxiety)?
Why is LOC important in adolescence?
Those children who are external are less likely to do well academically with potentially lasting effects throughout the lifespan. As puberty occurs prior to major educational assessments (GCSEs especially and A levels), it is important to assess if LOC is affected by it. If so, targeted interventions may increase students’ internality at this crucial period in their lives.