Investigating the relationship between centrality of religiosity and locus of control in a Maltese population

Abstract

Daily our locus of control influences our responses to events and our motivation to take action, therefore it impacts us psychologically. On the other hand, religion has always been of huge importance when answering existential questions which us humans struggle to comprehend, such as: ‘What is the meaning of life ?’. This study aims to investigate whether there is a relationship between the centrality of religiosity (including the aspect of religious practices, experiences and beliefs) and locus of control in a Maltese population. The independent variable was measured by the standardised scale: the Centrality of Religiosity Scale which is a multidimensional measure of religiosity, which looked at five different dimensions; intellect, ideology, public practice, private practice and religious experience. The dependent variable was measured by the standardised scale: the Locus of Control Instrument. To achieve the research objectives, a quantitative approach was used. Respondents who were aged 18 and over, living in Malta and English speaking, were considered valid for this study. Each individual’s five dimensions of religiosity were measured through a self-report scale and analysed to their locus of control. Locus of control was assessed as either having a very strong external locus of control, external locus of control, both external and internal locus of control, internal locus of control or very strong internal locus of control. Through the use of Pearson Coefficient Correlation analysis, Regression analysis as well as Multiple Regression analysis, results revealed that the relationship between the centrality of religiosity and locus of control in a Maltese population was found to be nonsignificant. Results as well as their interpretations are discussed to better understand the nature of the findings, as well as suggesting that additional research may be required.