Empowerment movements and mental health: Locus of control and commitment to the united farm workers

Psychologists in the community mental health field have contended that enhancement of psychological well-being is a likely benefit for individual participants in selfhelp, social-change-oriented organizations. This investigation sought to provide an empirical test of that proposition. A cross-section of 102 Mexican-American male seasonal farm workers who were differentially related to the United Farm Workers (Cesar Chavez, Director) were found to differ significantly on the I-E locus of control variable. It was possible to demonstrate a positive relationship for the participants between commitment (involvement) to the U. F. W. and an internal locus of control orientation (low perceived powerlessness).