Sensation Seeking and Locus of Control in University Students in the Context of Regular Exercise Participation and Gender

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the locus of control (LC) and sensation seeking (SS) levels of university female students according to regular exercise participation (REP) and gender (G). This descriptive study was initiated in 2016 and finished in 2017. A total of 623 students, 306 females and 317 males, from different academic departments and universities in Turkey participated in the study. Sensation Seeking and Internal-External Locus of Control (IELC) Scales were used as data collecting materials. The independent t-test was performed in the analysis of the data. The meaning level was accepted as p<0.05 and confidence interval was 95%. SS level of the male is higher than the female (t=-4,091, p=,000<0.05) and the female have higher level of LC than the male (t=4,418, p=,000<0.05). REP was a critical factor for SS (t=6,580, p=,000<0.05) and LC t=-2,584, p=,010<0.05). There was no difference between female REPG and NREPG for LC (t=-1,012, p=,312>0.05) but SS (t=11,331, p=,000<0.05). Additionally; there was no difference between male REP and non-REP groups for SS (t=1,027, p=,305>0.05) but LC (t=-4,133, p=,000<0.05). Further researches are a need to approve the result of this study.