SOCIAL SUPPORT, LOCUS OF CONTROL, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING

Social support seems to be positively related to psychological well-be ing. Studies have shown that individual differences exist in the abili ty to mobilize and use sources of support. The current study focused o n locus of control as a personality factor that might be related to th is ability, In 2 samples it was shown that individuals with an interna l locus of control perceived more support than did individuals with an external locus of control. Moreover, Study 1 included a sample of mai nly females and showed that social support was particularly related to the psychological well-being of individuals with an external locus of control. In a second study, this moderating effect of locus of contro l could only be replicated for women. For men, no moderating effect of locus of control was found. The implications of these findings for in terventions are discussed.