Date of Award

11-2003

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC)

Department

Counseling

First Advisor

David Carter

Second Advisor

Scott Harrington

Abstract

This research examined the relationship between self-efficacy, locus of control, and sexual behaviors among college females. The research null hypotheses suggest that; 1) There is no correlation between self-efficacy and responsible sexual behaviors, and 2) There is no correlation between locus of control and responsible sexual behaviors. Questionnaire data were collected from 109 undergraduate females at a Midwestern University. The sample was primarily Caucasian (89%), heterosexual (96.3%), and single (73.4%) with a mean age of 23 years. An investigator designed questionnaire, adapted in part, from the Rotter Internal-External Locus of Control Scale (RIELC), The General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE), and a sexual behavior survey previously designed to measure perceived ability to engage in safer sexual behaviors, was used to collect data for the study. Although results did suggest a high level of self-efficacy (M = 19.31) and internal locus of control (M = 3.4) for the sample, no significant relationships between selfefficacy and responsible sexual behaviors (r = .09, p >.05) was found. A negative significant correlation was found between locus of control and responsible sexual behaviors (r = -.29, p >.05) was found. In addition, a negative non-significant correlation was found between self-efficacy, and locus of control (r = -.13, p >.05), suggesting that these two variables are largely independent. Study findings lay the groundwork for future research in psychosocial factors associated with responsible sexual behaviors.

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