June 2019 PMID 31009845

Differential associations of locus of control with anxiety, depression and life-events: A five-wave, nine-year study to test stability and change.

Johanna H M Hovenkamp-Hermelink, Bertus F Jeronimus, Date C van der Veen, Philip Spinhoven, Brenda W J H Penninx, Robert A Schoevers, Harriëtte Riese

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Mentions

Peak: 2 in Jul 2025

across 2 sources since Apr 2019

Extended reach

22,128

potential audience

Total likes

1,085

Video views

21,218

Mentions per month

Apr 2019 – Dec 2025

Where it's discussed

X / Twitter3 posts
YouTube3 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The comments indicate a moderate level of agreement and interest, with posts referencing the study’s findings on the link between locus of control and mental health, such as statements about its stability over time and its role in anxiety and depression. The tone is analytical but not overly passionate, with some posts questioning or contextualizing the findings, which contributes to the balanced assessment across all scores.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most of the posts recognize the importance of the research in linking locus of control to mental health, showing general support and understanding.

InterestModerate interest

The discussions express moderate curiosity, with some posts mentioning practical implications and relevance to mental health issues.

EngagementModerate engagement

Several posts reflect reflective engagement, such as referencing the stability of locus of control and how it influences anxiety and depression.

ImpactNeutral impact

While the topics are deemed relevant, there is limited evidence of discussions about transformative or long-term societal impacts.

Abstract in brief

The study found that locus of control (LOC), which reflects whether a person feels in control of their life, is quite stable over nine years, with scores shifting slightly to a more internal (control-focused) orientation as people age.
A more external LOC (feeling less in control) was linked to higher levels of anxiety and depression, but it did not affect how many positive or negative life events people experienced; instead, anxiety and depression levels and life events influenced changes in LOC over time.
The findings suggest that understanding how LOC interacts with mental health symptoms and life events could help improve clinical treatments for anxiety and depression, especially considering that positive and negative life experiences can shape one's sense of control.

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