Abstract
This paper examines how locus of control is expressed in caregivers’ descriptions of children’s behaviour. Locus of control has been considered a key factor in enabling parents and caregivers to respond to challenging behaviour in children with severe and complex disabilities, but assessment of parental or carer locus of control has usually been based on the a priori assumption that individuals show predominant patterns of response that remain consistent across situations whether parents are considering their own or other children.Experiential descriptions by the parents and caregivers of six children whose behaviours severely challenged their ability to care were reviewed. Analysis of caregiver descriptions suggested that locus of control was situation specific and parents’ ‘locus of control’ less clearly identifiable in the transcripts than suggested by literature based on the use of standardised forms. The focus of parent and caregiver locus of control shifted between external and internal, with prima facie evidence that shifts were related to real life ‘barriers’ (MacNaughton & Rodrigue, 2001).The relevance and validity of the concept of locus of control in the context of challenging behaviour is discussed. It is suggested that identifying caregiver perceptions in relation to specific circumstances (in particular, children’s challenging behaviour) may be more constructive than using generalised measures of locus of control.
Publisher
British Psychological Society
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