Locus of Control or Self-Esteem; Which One is the Best Predictor of Academic Achievement in Iranian College Students

BACKGROUND: Self-esteem and behavioral consequences, which are due to external or internal locus of control, are effective on academic achievement of students. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prediction of locus of control and self-esteem in academic achievement among the students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 college students in Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences in 2014. Data collection tools were in three sections: demographic, Rotter internal-external locus of control scale and Coopersmith self-esteem inventory. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 21. RESULTS: Results showed that 29.8% and 76.2% of the participants had internal locus of control, and high self-esteem, respectively. There was a significant correlation between self-esteem, locus of control and academic achievement of the students. Self-esteem accounted for 39.5% of the variation in academic achievement. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that interventions to increase self-esteem among student can help improve academic achievement among them.