The Relationship Between Locus of Control, Social Support and Cigarette Use

Abstract

A relationship between locus of control and substance use may have implications for how treatment approaches can be improved. Locus of control refers to the feeling of either internal or external perceptions of life circumstances. High internal control refers to a self-motivated trajectory, while external control is based on the belief that events are outside of personal control. Although there continues to be debate over how locus of control should be measured, several studies have found higher levels of external perception of control in substance abusers (Haynes & Ayliffe, 1991; Penny & Robinson, 1986). Once treatment begins, higher internal control is usually displayed, but the responsibility of social desirability should not be discounted (Coelho, 1985; Ersche et al., 2012). In addition, several studies have found that social isolation is a factor which may affect cigarette smoking (Copeland et al., 2018; Miller et al., 1979). The present study will utilize data from the 2020 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). Participants were recruited using location-based stratified sampling through addresses across California. Participants (N = 21,949; 56% female) ranged from 18 to 85 years old (M = 53.11 years, SD = 17.57). Participant ethnicity included: 21% Hispanic, 60% White non-Hispanic, 4% African American only, .4% American Indian/Alaskan Native only, 12% Asian only, and 3% other/two or more races. Participants completed measures over the phone about demographics, locus of control, cigarette use, and social isolation. Analyses will examine how cigarette smoking is related to locus of control and social isolation, including, if the relation between locus of control and cigarette use depends on social isolation. This topic is important to study because the consequences of cigarette use can be detrimental and preventative interventions could encourage more mindful behaviors and attitudes. Understanding how genetic versus environmental attributions affect outcomes can help professionals make more informed interventions for substance use.

Details

Session 2

3:00pm – 4:30pm

Grand Salon