Publication Type
Journal Article
Version
acceptedVersion
Publication Date
7-2015
Abstract
Background and Objectives. The current study utilizes Skinner's framework to examine the unique contributions of internal locus of control, self-efficacy, and perceived outcome control over course performance on students' academic experiences. Method. Undergraduate students (N = 225) took part in a longitudinal study and completed two surveys (Time 1: just before their mid-term exams; Time 2: just before their final exam in the same semester). Results. Both locus of control and self-efficacy at Time 1 predicted course-level perceived control over course performance at Time 2. Student-level perceived control over course performance at Time 2 mediated the relationship between self-efficacy at Time 1 and course-level perseverance, course-specific stress, and course enjoyment at Time 2. For global perceived stress and life satisfaction measured at Time 2, both locus of control and self-efficacy at Time 1 had only a direct effect on global perceived stress at Time 2, but only self-efficacy at Time 1 predicted life satisfaction at Time 2. Conclusion. Both locus of control and self-efficacy uniquely contribute to students' academic experiences. Student-level perceived control plays an important mediating role between locus of control and self-efficacy at Time 1, and course-level perseverance, course-specific stress, and course enjoyment at Time 2.
Keywords
academics, locus of control, outcome control, life satisfaction, stress, self-efficacy
Discipline
Educational Psychology | Experimental Analysis of Behavior
Research Areas
Psychology
Publication
Anxiety, Stress and Coping
Volume
28
Issue
4
First Page
425
Last Page
444
ISSN
1061-5806
Identifier
10.1080/10615806.2014.976761
Publisher
Taylor & Francis (Routledge): STM, Behavioural Science and Public Health Titles
Citation
AU, Evelyn W. M..(2015). Locus of control, self-efficacy, and the mediating effect of outcome control: predicting course-level and global outcomes in an academic context. Anxiety, Stress and Coping, 28(4), 425-444.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/2062
Copyright Owner and License
Author
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2014.976761