| Popis: |
Existing research is ambiguous about the effects of unemployment on locus of control and the potential moderators to change. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate current research to conclude whether unemployment leads to changes in locus of control and whether assessment timing and status prior to unemployment moderate this change. Online databases were searched for studies published between 1954 (which saw Rotter first develop the concept of locus of control) and 2018. Twelve longitudinal studies were sourced that used a validated measure to assess locus of control in either students or among part- or full-time employed and then again among the same group following job loss or the termination of studies. Random effects modelling pointed towards a small but statistically significant change in locus of control towards greater externality (d = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.09-0.26, p = 0.000, k = 11). Moderator analyses suggested that this change was more significant in students entering unemployment (d = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.09–0.38, p = 0.002, k = 6) than among former employees and that greater change could be observed when a second assessment was made closer to the time of first assessment (d = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.15–0.31, p = 0.000, k = 2). This meta-analysis concludes that there is a statistically significant change in locus of control following unemployment but that this change might not extend to clinical significance. |
