Abstract
This study investigated whether external locus of control, as measured with the Rotter Internal-External Locus of Control Scale, is a specific feature of agoraphobia or whether it characterizes neurosis in general. Forty agoraphobic patients, 81 nonagoraphobic neurotic controls, and 49 normal controls completed the Dutch version of the Rotter Internal-External Locus of Control Scale. Agoraphobic patients were found to have a more external orientation as compared to the normal controls, but as a group, they could not be identified as being different from neurotic controls.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adler, D., & Price, J. H. (1985). Relation of agoraphobics health locus of control orientation to severity of agoraphobia.Psychological Reports, 56, 619–625.
Andriessen, J. H. T. H. (1972). Interne of Externe beheersing.Nederlands Tijdschrift voor de Psychologie en haar Grensgebieden, 4, 173–198.
Andriessen, J. H. T. H., & van Cadzand, J. P. (1983). Een analyse van de Nederlandse I.E.-schaal.Nederlands Tijdschrift voor de Psychologie, 38, 18–24.
Barlow, D. H., Vermilyea, J., Blanchard, E., Vermilyea, B. B., DiNardo, P. A., & Cerny, J. A. (1985). The phenomenon of panic.Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 94, 320–328.
Chambless, D. L. (1982). Characteristics of agoraphobics. In: D. L. Chambless & A. J. Goldstein (Eds.),Agoraphobia: Multiple perspectives on theory and treatment. New York: Wiley & Sons.
De Moor, W. (1985). The topography of agoraphobia.American Journal of Psychotherapy, 3, 371–388.
Emmelkamp, P. M. G. (1982).Phobic and obsessive compulsive disorders: Theory, research and practice. New York: Plenum Press.
Emmelkamp, P. M. G., & Cohen-Kettenis, P. T. (1975). Relationship of locus of control to phobic anxiety and depression.Psychological Reports, 36, 390.
Emmelkamp, P. M. G., Kuipers, A. C. M., & Eggeraat, J. B. (1978). Cognitive modification versus prolonged exposure in vivo: A comparison with agoraphobics as subjects.Behavior Research and Therapy, 16, 33–41.
Foon, A. E. (1987). Review: Locus of control as a predictor of outcome of psychotherapy.British Journal of Medical Psychology, 60, 99–107.
Harrow, M., & Ferrante, A. (1969). Locus of control in psychiatric patients.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 33, 582–589.
Hoehn-Saric, R., & McLeod, D. R. (1986). Locus of control in chronic anxiety disorders.Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 72, 529–535.
Johnson, J. H., & Sarason, J. G. (1978). Life stress, depression and anxiety: internal-external control as moderator variable.Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 22, 205–208.
Kilmann, P. R., Albert, B. M., & Sotile, W. M. (1975). Relationship between locus of control, structure of therapy, and outcome.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 43, 588.
Marks, J. M. (1969).Fears and phobias. New York: Academic Press.
Michelson, L., Mavissakalian, M., & Meminger, S. (1983). Prognostic utility of locus of control in treatment of agoraphobia.Behavior Research and Therapy, 21, 309–313.
Rotter, J. B. (1954).Social learning and clinical psychology. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Rotter, J. B., Seeman, M. R., & Leverant, S. (1962). Internal versus external control of reinforcements: A major variable in behavior theory. In W. F. Washburn (Ed.),Decisions, values and groups. Vol. 2 (pp. 473–516). New York: Pergamon Press.
Rotter, J. B., Chance, J. E., & Phares, E. J. (1972).Applications of a social learning theory of personality. New York Holt, Rinehart, Winston.
Sheehan, D. V., Ballenger, J., & Jacobson, G. (1980). Treatment of endogenous anxiety with phobic, hysterical and hypochondriacal symptoms.Archives of General Psychiatry, 37, 51–59.
Thyer, B. A., & Himle, J. (1985). Temporal relationship between panic onset and phobic avoidance in agoraphobia.Behavioral Research and Therapy, 23, 607–608.
Thyer, B. A., Himle, J., Curtis, G. C., Cameron, O. G., & Nesse, R. M. (1985). A comparison of panic disorders and agoraphobia with panic attacks.Comprehensive Psychiatry, 26, 208–214.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This study was supported in part by a grant from the Dutch Organization for Fundamental Research (ZWO/Psychon 560-268-001).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
van der Molen, G.M., van den Hout, M.A. & Halfens, R. Agoraphobia and Locus of Control. J Psychopathol Behav Assess 10, 269–275 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00962550
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00962550