THE EFFECT OF THREE GROUP LIVING ARRANGEMENTS ON LOCUS OF CONTROL AND SELF-CONCEPT OF INSTITUTIONALIZED ADOLESCENTS
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to analyze the effect of three group living arrangements on self-concept and locus of control of institutionalized adolescents. More specifically, the study analyzed the variance in self-concept scores and locus of control scores among three groups of children, namely, those living in an institution, those living in a cottage unit, and those living in a group home. The study also sought to analyze the self-concept scores and locus of control scores of males and females and type of living arrangement. The subjects were children in foster care. There were 45 children who lived in an institution, 15 children lived in a cottage unit, and 37 children lived in a group home. The sample consisted of 97 children from one children's agency who lived in each arrangement for not less than three years. Twenty-six of the subjects were girls and 71 were boys. The subject's ages ranged from 13 to 18 years. A double classification analysis of variance was used to determine differences between groups when categorized according to living arrangement and sex. To determine differences between mean scores of subjects on the self-concept measure, a double classification ANOVA was employed. A second double classification ANOVA was employed to determine differences between mean scores of subjects on locus of control measure. Results indicated that there was no significant differences between self-concept and locus of control mean scores of subjects living in the three group arrangements, or between the subjects when classified by sex. It was also found that there was a greater frequency of males in group homes and in institutions than in cottages. There was a greater frequency of girls in the group home and cottage than in the institution. Due to the disproportionate sex distribution in numbers of children living in the three arrangements, further analyses were made. When the population was analyzed according to each sex separately, a statistically significant difference was revealed between self-concept mean score of females living in a group home and living in a cottage. The following recommendations were proposed based on the variables of self-concept and locus of control of institutionalized children: (1) The study should be replicated using a larger sample of children in foster care living in the three living arrangements. (2) A study should be initiated with children measuring self-concept and locus of control upon entry into foster care and after a proposed period of time in placement in the three living arrangements. (3) Further research should be conducted to determine the effect of parent contact through visitation on the self-concept and locus of control of children living in the three types of living arrangements. (4) Further research should be conducted to determine the relationship of length of time in foster care on the self-concept and locus of control of children. (5) Further research should be conducted to determine the effects of staff experience on the self-concept and locus of control of children in child caring agencies. (6) The study should be replicated using a larger sample to determine whether the measures of self-concept and locus of control have a place within the total rehabilitative scope of child caring agencies.
Subject Area
Educational psychology
Recommended Citation
HYATT, ESTHER PIERRE, "THE EFFECT OF THREE GROUP LIVING ARRANGEMENTS ON LOCUS OF CONTROL AND SELF-CONCEPT OF INSTITUTIONALIZED ADOLESCENTS" (1980). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI8020990.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI8020990
