Perceptions of control in children with externalizing and mixed behavior disorders

Examined the differences in the perception of control in 67 school-age children with externalizing and children with both externalizing and internalizing behavior problems. The results indicated that children with externalizing behavior and mixed behavior could be differentiated by their perception of control. Specifically, children with externalizing behavior endorsed a significantly stronger unknown locus of control than children in the mixed behavior group. Findings suggest that when behavior groups are clearly defined, neither external nor internal locus of control is the dominant style. Implications for the findings are discussed.