Locus of control, coping skills and television usage among middle school-aged children

Author

William A. Richter

Date of Award

12-1996

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Communication

Major Professor

Michael W. Singletary

Committee Members

Jan E. Allen

Abstract

This study examined what, if any, correlations and relationships exist between television viewing, locus of control and stress coping techniques. The population for this study were middle school-aged children. The test instrument for this study consisted of the Nowicki- Strickland locus of control scale, the Brodzinsky, et al. coping scale for children and youth, and a uses and gratifications scale based on work by Cramond and Wilde. A group administration technique, using a non-probability sample was utilized. The data yielded mixed support for the stated hypotheses of the study. A relationship was found to exist between the amount of television a child views and how he/she copes with stressful situations, while limited support was found linking locus of control with television viewing habits.

Recommended Citation

Richter, William A., "Locus of control, coping skills and television usage among middle school-aged children. " PhD diss., University of Tennessee, 1996.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/9833