Locus of control orientation of obese adolescent girls and children of alcoholics in outpatient treatment

Abstract

Obese adolescents and children of alcoholics have been reported to exhibit an external locus of control orientation. Due to the perceived loss of control over personal eating behavior versus limited control over environmental circumstances, it was believed that obese adolescent girls would show greater externality than children of alcoholics. Rotter's I-E Scale was administered to 19 moderately obese adolescent girls and 10 girls who were children of alcoholics in outpatient treatment. While both groups scored within the external range of control orientation, there was no statistically significant difference between the samples. Contrary to prediction, obese adolescent girls and adolescents from alcoholic environments have similar world views on control orientation.