The role of sense of control and locus of control in depressive and anxious symptoms during COVID-19: an integrative review

TL;DR

This paper reviews how a person's sense of control and belief about what controls their life affect their anxiety and depression during the pandemic.

Contribution

It integrates recent studies to clarify how locus of control and sense of control influence mental health during the COVID-19 crisis.

Findings

Individuals with external locus of control and low sense of control had higher anxiety and depression during the pandemic.

Higher sense of control and internal locus of control were linked to proactive coping strategies.

Perceptions of control are strongly correlated with psychological distress levels during crises.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a series of psychological impacts, resulting in significant increases in anxiolytic and depressive disorders, influenced by isolation measures, health insecurity, and abrupt social changes. Two key concepts for understanding emotional responses during this period include Sense of Control (SoC) and Locus of Control (LoC). The SoC refers to the general perception of personal agency, while the LoC is a more specific framework that classifies control perceptions as either internal (believing one has control over life events) or external (attributing outcomes to external forces). Previous studies indicate that a more external LoC and a low SoC are associated with greater psychological vulnerability in stressful contexts, such as during the pandemic, which can amplify symptoms of anxiety and depression. This integrative review aims to gather and synthesize studies that explore the relationship between LoC and/or SoC and symptoms of anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and BVS databases, focusing on studies published within the last 5 years. Quantitative studies with adult samples were considered eligible while excluding those with specific pre-existing conditions. After removing duplicates, titles and abstracts were screened, resulting in 12 full-text studies to be reviewed. Of these, nine met inclusion and exclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. An emerging pattern showed that individuals with external LoC and low SoC had higher levels of anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. The role of LoC and SoC as moderators of psychological distress was documented, reinforcing prior evidence that individuals with an external LoC are more vulnerable to mental health challenges in times of crisis. Furthermore, these constructs influenced behavioral responses to the pandemic, with higher SoC and internal LoC associated with more proactive and responsible coping strategies.

Both LoC and SoC play critical roles in understanding the psychological impacts of the pandemic. Despite populational and methodological diversity, most studies point to a clear correlation between perception of control and levels of anxiety and depression, highlighting the importance of interventions that increase the perception of personal control to reduce psychological distress.

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