Work Status shapes Locus of Control among Rural Indian Youth: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Employment matters greatly for youth development, especially in rural areas where job opportunities are limited and incomes are uncertain. This study examined how employment status affects locus of control (LoC), the belief that people can control life outcomes among rural youth in Dumka district, Jharkhand, India. The research was based on Rotter's (1966) social learning theory and cross-cultural research showing employment shapes psychological beliefs. The study tested whether employed youth would report higher internal LoC than unemployed youth (H1). A quantitative survey included 500 rural youth aged 22–36 years, stratified by employment status. Data were collected using a self-developed LoC Scale. Results showed a significant difference: employed youth reported higher internal LoC (M=76.1) compared to unemployed youth (M=66.9), t(498)=7.21, p<.001, with a medium-to- large effect size (Cohen's d=0.62). Employment strengthens personal agency and belief in personal control. Unemployment often reinforces external beliefs, particularly in rural India where structural barriers and limited job opportunities constrain individual choices. These findings suggest employment is both an economic and psychological necessity for rural youth. The study contributes to psychological theory and highlights the importance of targeted employment programs designed to build personal agency and mental health strength in rural communities.