Internal Locus of Control Predicts Proenvironmental and COVID-19 Health-Related Behaviors: A Pilot Study

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused large shifts in our way of life and requires individuals globally to modify their behavior in ways that benefit their health and the health of others. Meanwhile, the climate crisis continues to unfold, with evermore direct threats to human well-being-making behavioral mitigation strategies increasingly pertinent. Yet still, there are concerning differences in the degree to which individuals are engaging the behavioral strategies to mitigate the spread of the virus and the worsening climate crisis. In this pilot study, we sought to better understand the psychological pathways to health-related proenvironmental and COVID-19 mitigation behaviors. We explored the relationship between these behaviors and the possible predictor of internal locus of control (LOC)-the sense of agency and power one feels they have to act on effective mitigation strategies. We surveyed 422 adults regarding their environmental and COVID-19-related conceptions of personal power to act effectively, as well as their proenvironmental behavior (e.g., reducing meat consumption, air travel, and fast fashion consumption) and COVID-19-related health behaviors (e.g., hand washing, mask wearing, and social distancing). In addition, we assessed demographic variables including age, race, gender, political orientation, and indicators of socioeconomic status. Multiple regression analyses revealed that control beliefs involving an internal LOC were a predictor of protective health-related behaviors. We discuss the possibility of individual-level interventions and the broader societal need to create conditions in which individuals can develop an empowered sense of control over their actions related to their health.