Locus of control and type a behavior pattern as predictors of coping styles among adolescents

This study examined how approach and avoidant coping styles, Type A behavior pattern (TABP), locus of control and age correlate with each other, and how the relations between locus of control and approach and avoidant coping styles are moderated by TABP and age in adolescents. Ss, between 14 and 17 years of age, completed questionnaires covering locus of control, TABP, and approach and avoidant coping styles. Findings showed that in both gender groups, external locus of control correlated negatively with approach coping, and positively with avoidant coping. TABP correlated positively with external locus of control in males, and avoidant coping in females. TABP also moderated the relations between locus of control and approach coping in males, and locus of control and avoidant coping in older females. In both cases, the coping levels were higher when associated with an internal locus of control than an external locus of control. These findings are discussed in terms of the effects of age, gender,locus of control and TABP on adolescent coping styles. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.