A growing body of research has explored how young people’s mental health is shaped not just by what happens to them, but by how much control they feel they have over their own lives. A new study of more than 800 university students in Mexico adds significant weight to this idea, finding that those with an external locus of control (a belief that life outcomes are governed by fate, chance, or other people) were far more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and stress.
The research, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, involved 815 students with an average age of just under 20. Participants completed established psychological scales measuring both their sense of personal control and their levels of emotional distress. The results were striking: nearly three quarters of students reported anxiety symptoms, almost two thirds reported symptoms of depression, and more than half reported significant stress.
Locus of control is a concept introduced by psychologist Julian Rotter in the 1960s. Those with an internal locus of control tend to believe their actions shape outcomes, while those with an external locus of control feel that outside forces are largely in charge. The study found that as symptom severity increased across all three mental health dimensions, locus of control scores fell consistently, meaning students experiencing the worst symptoms were also the least likely to feel in control of their lives.
Women in the study reported notably higher levels of distress across all three measures. Female students were more likely to fall into the severe and extremely severe categories for depression, anxiety, and stress. No significant difference was found between men and women in locus of control scores themselves, suggesting that the relationship between perceived control and mental health operates regardless of sex.
The findings are relevant to anyone concerned about mental health in young people, particularly students navigating high-pressure academic environments. University life brings particular vulnerabilities, including financial pressure, academic demands, and social transition. When students feel they have little agency over these challenges, the research suggests their psychological well-being is likely to suffer.
The study’s authors argue that universities should consider targeted programmes to strengthen students’ sense of personal agency. Initiatives focused on decision-making skills, resilience building, and accessible counselling services could help shift students towards a more internal orientation, potentially reducing rates of student depression and anxiety disorders. Previous research supports the idea that a stronger internal locus of control is linked to better academic performance and higher self-esteem.
The study was cross-sectional, meaning it captured a single point in time rather than following students over a period of years. This means it cannot confirm whether feeling out of control leads to poor mental health or vice versa. The researchers have called for longer-term studies to untangle the direction of this relationship and to test whether targeted interventions can make a meaningful difference.
The findings add to wider international evidence linking perceived control to emotional well-being, and they raise important questions for mental health support in universities across the world.