The Role of Income Volatility and Perceived Locus of Control in Financial Planning Decisions

Two studies examine whether income volatility might lead to greater personal financial insecurity and might create a decision environment that discourages planning ahead on personal finances. In Study 1 (N = 982), participants who reported more month-to-month variability in their actual income were less likely to have planned for financial contingencies. A lower internal locus of control partially mediated the link between volatility and financial planning decisions in Study 1, and lower internal locus of economic control predicted financial planning decisions independently of volatility. In Study 2 (N = 149), participants who were randomly assigned to receive volatile (vs. stable) payments in a simulated work environment were less likely to save their compensation for this work. Again, lower internal locus of economic control predicted financial planning decisions independently of volatility. This is the first study to demonstrate a causal link between income volatility and financial decisions, specifically a heightened tendency to make short-term financial decisions. Both studies also underlined the importance of internal locus of control for financial planning decisions.

Transformational leadership and patient safety in hospital

This study examines to make up this significant gap in the existing literature. Using a cross-sectional sample consisting of 240 nurses in the hospitals of Uzbekistan and a structural model, with a random sampling technique by employing explanatory, and causal design was used to test the developed framework. Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires, the survey instruments were distributed by hand among the private and public sector, we find that nurses’ perceived safety culture (SC) and decision-making capacity (DMC) act as important mechanisms linking TL to PS. Meanwhile, nurses’ perceived locus of control (LC) moderates the effect of TL on SC and DMC in such a way that this effect is more salient for nurses with internal LC than for nurses with external LC. This paper examines the contribution, that individuals with high internal LC are more affected by TL, generate and can better develop SC and DMC. The study findings demonstrated the significant role of transformational leadership played in order to improve working conditions and the environment, which helps nurses to create good conditions, relationships with patients and increase patient safety. The theoretical and practical implications of this study are discussed

Household Barriers to Climate Change Action: Perspectives from Nuevo Leon, Mexico

It is necessary to mobilize households so that they make changes to their everyday activities to address climate change. However, in the academic literature, there has been little focus on the perceived barriers to climate change action at the household level. Previous research has also highlighted a need for more studies in Latin America. This study contributes to the literature by filling these gaps. In a face-to-face and online survey administered in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, we asked participants what barriers impede their household from taking action to address climate change. Using thematic analysis, seven main barriers were identified: (i) everyday life; (ii) awareness of climate change; (iii) lack of perceived locus of control; (iv) physical limitations of the dwelling; (v) social, (vi) regulatory; and (vii) economic. Given the significant potential effects of climate change in the Nuevo Leon region, a better understanding of the barriers that prevent households from addressing climate change will inform the development of targeted guidelines and strategies to address changing climate.

Teacher shortage as a local phenomenon: District leader sensemaking, responses, and implications for policy

While the teacher shortage is a national crisis, the manifestations of the shortage are felt most acutely at the local district level. The diversity of these micro-contexts often leads to disparities in the ways local school systems are served by large-scale initiatives. District leaders provide an important lens for understanding the localized manifestation of teacher shortages. This research contributes to the existing macro-level literature on teacher shortages through investigation of the ways in which district leaders in West Virginia make sense of and respond to the teacher shortage. As part of a broader study, we share analyses of interviews with seven district leaders across five county school districts and highlight the ways in which leaders made sense of the phenomenon in paradoxical ways, both in terms of the most salient causes as well as the perceived locus of control in addressing the teacher shortage. Findings also highlight the way district leader sensemaking led to action, with responses differing based on relative affordances of metropolitan versus rural contexts. We conclude with implications for policy and research to further understand the local nature of teacher shortages and to address the problem, particularly in rural contexts underserved by current research and policy.

Self-Esteem and Locus of Causality as Vulnerability Factors for the Development of Actual/Ideal Self-Discrepancies in Late Childhood

Self-discrepancies influence psychological well-being and self-acceptance across several domains. Middle to late childhood is a critical age for the development of self-discrepancies (SD). The present study was aimed at investigating antecedents of actual/ideal self-discrepancies in 9- to 11-year-old children by adopting a repeated measure design, with two measurement occasions. At the baseline (T1), children (N=261) completed a self-esteem questionnaire, a measure of actual/ideal SDs we developed around the Five Factor Model domains, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire; 4 months later (T2) a subsample (N=96) provided self-ratings again. Children's parents (N=195) referred on their own feelings towards their children along the Profile of Mood States as well as on their perceived locus of control of their children's undesirable behaviors; a subsample of parents (N=80) provided ratings again 4 months later. Principal component analyses from children's self-discrepancies at T1 yielded four domains: Intellect, Emotional Stability, Impulse Control, and Sociability. Self-rated discrepancies across time were moderately stable. Concurrently, higher SDs in Intellect were associated with lower children's self-esteem. Cross-lagged pattern analyses showed that lower self-esteem predicted increases in children's SDs, but not vice versa; in addition, change levels in SDs were correlated with change levels in self-esteem. Parents' perceived internal locus of causality of their children's undesirable behaviors also accounted for changes in children's SDs. Parents' feelings of depression accounted for increases in girls' SDs. The present findings further support the association between self-esteem and SDs, indicate the direction of association across time, and suggest possible mechanisms by which parents affect the development of the children's self-views.

Perceived Locus of Control in Rhythmic Gymnastics by Coaches and Judges

Introduction: Rhythmic Gymnastics (RG) is a sport with subjective judgment. Locus of control is the perception that an action or the result of an action is either on one’s control or out of one’s control. Purpose of the present study was to examine the way coaches and judges perceive the degree of control a coach has on athletes’ success in through their roles. Seventy-seven coaches and judges from Greece were the participants of the study. Perceived Locus of Control general in life and Perceived Locus of Control in athletic success were measured by questionnaires. Results showed that coaches and judges perceive that athletic success in RG is due basically to internal factors. Judges scored higher than coaches in internal Locus of Control in RG and judges with previous coaching experience scored lower in Locus of Control Chance Global than judges with no coaching experience and coaches. Locus of control in RG could be generally be predicted by locus of control globally.