Date of Award

2000

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Art

First Advisor

Pamela Nickels

Second Advisor

Marilyn Patterson

Third Advisor

Anita Sankar

Abstract

Although various aspects of adjustment to disability have been addressed in current research literature, little empirical and specific data has been gathered in the areas of locus of control, self-esteem and life satisfaction. This study furthered recent research by addressing the relationship between these variables. Disabled adults who are mobility impaired were selected from various organizations in the St. Louis, Denver and eastern regions of the United States. Sixty subjects in this study completed the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Tennessee Self-Concept Scale-Second Edition (TSCS:2) and the Levenson's Internal, Powerful Others and Chance Scale (1, P and C scale). The relationships between locus of control, self-esteem and life satisfaction were derived from the results along with a comparison of the relationship of these variables in persons who are congenitally and adventitiously disabled. Findings of this study indicated that a relationship exists between an internal locus of control and Life satisfaction in the adventitiously disabled group while powerful others is negatively related to self-concept in both the entire study group as well as the congenitally disabled group. Results of I-tests suggest that there is no difference between the congenitally disabled and the adventitiously disabled groups.

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