Locus of Control as Related to Birth Control Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices.

An investigation was conducted to determine if a relationship existed between an individuals locus of control and his/her birth control knowledge attitude and practice. Locus of control refers to the way an individual characteristically perceives him/herself as related to the environment--the expectancy which relates to whether or not the individual possesses or lacks the power over what happens to him/her. Questionnaire responses of 104 students at West Chester State College in West Chester Pennsylvania were analyzed. The questionnaire consisted of 4 parts: Rotters I-E scale and tests of contraceptive knowledge attitudes and behavior. The questionnaire was anonymous and self-administered during 1 class period in late spring. The following were among the study findings: 1) using the original 205 subjects it was found that sexual activity was significantly greater in males than in females in older subjects than in younger subjects but did not differ for internals and externals; 2) of the select study group of 104 students about 75% used relatively good contraceptive protection and used it all or most of the time the females had significantly greater contraceptive knowledge than the males and used more effective contraceptive methods with greater consistency than the males and a the subjects sex was the most significant contributor in predicting sexual activity; and 3) it was determined that there was a relationship between locus of control and birth control knowledge where those of more internal orientation exhibited significantly greater knowledge about birth control than those of less internal orientation and there were no significant correlations between locus of control and birth control attitudes and contraceptive practices.