Predictors of Economic Locus of Control Among University Students in Uganda

Abstract

This study sought to predict economic locus of control from the background characteristics and personal dispositions of college students. Participants were a convenience sample of 236 Ugandan university students (males = 43.6%, females = 56.4%, Mean age = 23.80 years, SD = 4.29, lower SES =14.8%). They completed an economic locus of control that measures internal and chance/external aspects of own economic outcomes. They also completed an optimism scale, general locus of control measure and a causal attributions measure. Data was analyzed using stepwise multiple regression to predict economic locus of control from background characteristics and personal dispositions (i.e., optimism, general locus of control, causality beliefs). Internal economic locus of control was reliably predicted by being older, from middle SES, and high on generalised locus of control. Being female and having an internal locus negatively predicted belief in powerful others to influence own economic outcomes.