Date of Award
Summer 1988
Document Type
Thesis - Restricted
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Hennessey, Jean
Second Advisor
Brown, Ardene
Third Advisor
Havice, Michael
Abstract
Interest in health education directed towards establishing patterns of behavior that will discourage disease and enhance well-being in pre-adolescent children has increased. Studies which compare locus of control and level of physical activity have not been identified in the literature. Before attempting to establish more physically active lifestyles in children, the impact of their beliefs (locus of control) on their physically active behaviors needs to be assessed. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between locus of control and physical activity in pre-adolescent children. The major theory that served as the framework for this study is Rotter's Social Learning Theory. An individual's behavior is based not only on their valuation of the outcome but also on their estimation of the likelihood or probability of it occurring as a result of the action. The hypothesis of this study was: Pre-adolescent children who are physically active have an internally directed locus of control. The locus of control was measured by the Children's Nowicki-Strickland Internal-External Locus of Control Scale. Physical activity was defined as participation in an aerobic sport or activity at least seven hours per week. Physical activity level was measured by two questions specifically designed for this study. The sample was a convenience sample of ten physically inactive and 23 physically active pre-adolescent children. The sample population was obtained from two parochial grade schools in the midwest. The data were compared using a t-test. No significant differences were found between the two groups. Further investigation is needed to determine the relationship between locus of control and physical activity in pre-adolescent children. The impact of children's locus of control on their behavior choices can give direction to nursing interventions that assist them in establishing more active life-styles.
Recommended Citation
Hoppa, Kathleen A., "The Relationship Between Locus of Control and Physical Activity in Pre-Adolescent Children" (1988). Master's Theses (1922-2009) Access restricted to Marquette Campus. 3352.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/theses/3352