Attribution of control in psychiatric residents

At quarterly intervals in 1986-87, attribution of control and subjective symptom ratings were assessed among the 42 general psychiatry residents in the University of Cincinnati's training program. Within each of the four groups of residents (that is, the residents in each postgraduate year), ratings remained stable over time. Between-group differences were significant for ratings of internal locus of control, but the external locus of control ratings showed no corresponding fluctuation. The internal locus of control scores were inversely correlated with psychological distress as reported in the Brief Symptom Inventory.