A Cross-sectional Analysis Exploring Relationships Among Locus of Control, Coping, and Professional Quality of Life in Therapeutic Service Providers

Abstract

This study examined locus of control (LOC), coping, and professional quality of life in therapeutic service providers (TSPs; mental health clinicians with master’s degrees or higher) to determine whether coping strategies either mediated or moderated the relationship between LOC and professional quality of life. One hundred seventy-two TSPs completed self-report measures used in these analyses. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the coping measure and yielded four coping subscales: adaptive, avoidant, religious, and substance use. The study used the PROCESS macro to examine whether coping strategies mediate the effect of LOC on professional quality of life. Regression analyses were used to examine moderation effects of LOC and coping strategies on professional quality of life. Results revealed that the relationships between both powerful others and chance with compassion satisfaction were negatively mediated by avoidant coping. Avoidant coping also negatively mediated the relationship between internal LOC and secondary traumatic stress. The relationship between chance and burnout was positively mediated by avoidant coping. Avoidant coping partially, negatively mediated the relationship between internal LOC and burnout. Lastly, the relationship between powerful others and burnout and internal LOC and compassion satisfaction was partially, positively mediated by avoidant coping. No coping strategies statistically moderated the relationship between LOC and professional quality of life. Findings suggested that avoidant coping plays an important role in the professional quality of life for TSPs and that internal LOC may have critical implications for a strong professional quality of life.