PTSD and locus of control Ratzer et al (2014)

Define the 2 locus' of control and effect on behaviour

Locus of control shapes an individual's perception of trauma and influences mental health outcomes. Locus can be internal in which an individual believes they are in control and take responsibility for their own actions, or external where they blame external forces for their own circumstances.

Those with internal locus of control are more likely to seek support than those with an external locus as they believe that they are able to change their actions and thus outcomes, unlike those with an external locus who feel a lack of control. However a strong internal locus can cause self-blame worsening PTSD symptoms.

Ratzer et al study year

2014

Ratzer et al (2014) research method

Natural experiment

Ratzer et al (2014) Aim

Investigate accident victims to see if the level of locus of control would be a predictor of PTSD

Ratzer et al (2014) Sample

52 patients who were admitted to an intensive care unit through the emergency ward following traumatic injury.

Ratzer et al (2014) Procedure

Information on participants' injury severity and ICU treatment were obtained through medical records

Participants were tested on levels of PTSD and locus of control

Demographic information, measures of acute stress symptoms, experienced social support, coping style, sense of coherence and locus of control were assessed within one month of the participant's accidents.

At the 6 month follow up PTSD was assessed with the Harvard trauma questionnaire.

Ratzer et al (2014) Results

19.2% of participants developed PTSD symptoms over 6 months and there was a significant correlation between those with an external locus of control and the onset of these symptoms.

Ratzer et al (2014) link to PTSD

the

Ratzer et al (2014) Evaluation strengths

Ratzer et al (2014) Evaluation limitations

Low validity as participants were classified to have PTSD based on the results of the questionnaire which is less reliable as a clinical diagnosis.

Traumas of events that were not related to the investigated injuries may have contributed to the onset of PTSD in participants, acting as an extraneous variable with reduces the accuracy of the found relationship between the locus of control and PTSD.