Parental Locus of Control Scale – PLOC

What I do has little effect on my child’s behavior

When something goes wrong between me and my child, there is little I can do to correct it

Parents should address problems with their children because ignoring them won’t make them go away

If your child tantrums no matter what you try, you might as well give up

My child usually ends up getting his/her way, so why try

No matter how hard a parent tries, some children will never learn to mind

I am often able to predict my child’s behavior in situations

It is not always wise to expect too much from my child because many things turn out to be a matter of good and bad luck anyway

When my child gets angry, I can usually deal with him/her if I stay calm

When I set expectations for my child, I am almost certain that I can help him/her meet them

There is no such thing as good or bad children- just bad parents

When my child is well behaved, it is because he/she is responding to my efforts

Parents who can’t get their children to listen to them don’t understand how to get along with their children

My child’s behavior problems are no one’s fault but my own

Capable people who fail to become good parents have not followed through on their opportunities

Children’s behavior problems are often due to the mistakes their parent made

Parents whose children make them feel helpless just aren’t using the best parenting techniques

Most children’s behavior problems would not have developed if their parents had better parenting skills

I am responsible for my child’s behavior

The misfortunes and successes I have had as a parent are the direct result of my own behavior

My life is chiefly controlled by my child

My child does not control my life

My child influences the number of friends I have

I feel like what happens in my life is mostly determined by my child

It is easy for me to avoid and function independently of my child’s attempt to have control over me

When I make a mistake with my child I am usually able to correct it

Even if your child frequently tantrums, a parent should not give up

Being a good parent often depends on being lucky enough to have a good child

I’m just one of those lucky parents who happened to have a good child

I have often found that when it comes to my children, what is going to happen will happen

Fate was kind to me- if I had had a bad child I don’t know what I would have done

Success in dealing with children seems to be more a matter of the child’s mood and feelings at the time rather than one’s own actions

Neither my child nor myself is responsible for his/her behavior

In order to have my plans work, I make sure they fit in with the desires of my child

Most parents don’t realize the extent to which how their children turn out is influenced by accidental happenings

Heredity plays a major role in determining a child’s personality

Without the right breaks one cannot be an effective parent

I always feel in control when it comes to my child

My child’s behavior is sometimes more than I can handle

Sometimes I feel that my child’s behavior is hopeless

It is often easier to let my child have his/her way than to put up with a tantrum

I find that sometimes my child can get me to do things I really did not want to do

My child often behaves in a manner very different from how I want him/her to behave

Sometimes when I tired I let my children do things I normally wouldn’t

Sometimes I feel that I do not have enough control over the direction my child’s life is taking

I allow my child to get away with things

It is not too difficult to change my child’s mind about something