Modeling of belief in superstition based on personality traits mediated by locus of control in female students

The aim of this study was to evaluate the model of belief in superstition based on ambiguity tolerance, mediated by the locus of control in female students. Correlation analysis was based on modeling according to structural equations. The population of this research included all ۷۵۰ female undergraduate students aged ۱۸ to ۲۲ years old studying at the Faculty of Psychology, Islamic Azad University of Gorgan, Golestan, Iran, in ۲۰۱۹. The sampling was in a way that first the superstition questionnaire was administered to ۷۲۵ students of the Islamic Azad University of Gorgan among whom ۳۵۰ students who had a higher score in superstition and wanted to participate in the study were selected as the final sample. Therefore, ۳۵۰ students were selected by the purposive sampling and asked to respond to the NEO-PI-R personality trait scale, Rutter Locus of Control Scale (RLCS), and Afshani's Beliefs in Superstitions Scale. The data analysis was based on structural regression equations conducted through in SPSS ۲۴ and AMOS ۲۳ programs. The results showed that the model was fitted, and ۶۶% of the belief in superstition could be explained by personality traits and locus of control. More specifically, personality traits and locus of control were significantly associated with believing in superstitions at the level of p = .۰۱. The present research can help accurately identify the factors associated with belief in superstition and improve students’ cognitive-behavioral conditions.

کلیدواژه ها:

personality traits ، locus of control ، beliefs in superstitions ، female students