Abstract

Spiritual beliefs may be associated with health behaviors and health outcomes. The present study examined the connection between locus of control, spirituality, and perception of stress among college students. The analyzed sample consisted of 36 participants: 27 women, 8 men, and 1 person identifying with other as their gender. These participants were split among 2 age groups: 28 young adults between the age range of 17 through 23 years old and 8 middle aged adults ranging from 23 or older. Younger and middle aged adults were recruited from the Psychology and/or Health and Wellness Departments at the University of North Carolina Asheville within a two week time period. Participants were asked to complete a cross sectional survey involving three scales of measurement: locus of control, spirituality, and perception of stress. Assessing results from Rotter’s Locus of Control Scale revealed that 24 out of 36 participants responded using an external locus of control whereas 12 participants identified using an internal locus of control. The Spirituality Scale revealed high levels of agreeance with spiritual involvement; suggesting that individuals are more involved with their spirituality through intrapersonal practices such as solitary engagement with spirituality using silence and nature. The Perceived Stress Scale highlighted the overall levels of stress experienced by these participants. Seventy two percent of participants reported fairly or very often feeling nervous and “stressed'' while fifty five percent of participants reported fairly or very often feeling they were “on top of things.” Further qualitative analysis involving transcribed interviews may provide more concrete evidence for thematics around perception of stress in relation to locus of control and spirituality. Findings suggest that a majority of individuals within this sample, identified with an external locus of control and evidence of being self aware as it relates to connection with earth and others.

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