Locus of Control - A Dental Student Perspective

Abstract

BACKGROUND Students from various backgrounds and places join graduation courses in Dentistry. The environmental influence on them is varied. Academic self-concept also has been found to be a significant predictor of students’ academic achievement in the college resulting in an increase in the grade point average of the students. This study was conducted to examine the relationship between the student and their academic relationship to the environment in the dental school which is the internal and external locus of control. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study. The method of collection of data is through a questionnaire. The questionnaire had details related to the demographic data of gender and year of study in the dental school. Questions on locus of control have been adapted from the Rotter’s Locus of Control Scale. Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS version 23. Chi square test was used to test the associations between the variables and a value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS 402 participants including students from 2nd year to internship filled the survey questionnaire. In general, majority of the participants displayed a higher external locus of control. CONCLUSIONS The study participants who responded showed more external locus of control compared to the internal locus of control. Strategies should be planned and tailored to improve student support and student education. They should include a very comprehensive orientation to the students including both long term and short-term objectives. KEY WORDS External Locus of Control, Internal Locus of Control, Cross Sectional Study