Development of the Parenting Locus of Control-Short Form (PLOC-SF), based on the original Parental Locus of Control Scale (PLOC; Campis, Lyman, & Prentice-Dunn, 1986), is presented in a series of four studies. Study 1 presents initial construction of the short-form based on a factor analysis and subsequent item analysis of the PLOC in a sample of clinic-referred children (n=258). Factor analyses of the PLOC-SF provided support for three of the factors described in the original PLOC. Study 1 also presents initial reliability (Chronbach’s alpha = .79) and convergent validity with parent ratings of child conduct problems on the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI; Eyberg & Pincus, 1999). Study 2 replicated the factor structure of the short form in a new clinical sample of children (n=141). Study 3 established preliminary normative data with a community sample of 200 mothers of children ages 2 to 12. Study 4 demonstrated treatment sensitivity of the PLOC-SF with parents of preschoolers treated for Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Together, these studies support the construct validity of the PLOC-SF as a measure of treatment outcome for children with conduct-disordered behavior.

Child Study Lab
Department of Clinical and Health Psychology
University of Florida
P.O. Box 100165
Gainesville, FL 32610
Phone (352) 265-0680 x 46878
E-mail: seyberg@hp.ufl.edu
© 2001 University of Florida
Last updated: March 07, 2006.