Locus of control is defined as general pattern of enduring belief in the extent of controllability of outcomes of events in one's life. According to Rotter, one's belief in the controllability can be placed alonge the internal-external continuum. The purpose of the present study was to examine the moderating role of locus of control on the relationship between anger and depression in a sample of patients with major depression disorder. A total of 127 patients with major depression disorder (81 men, 45 women) participated in the study. Participants were asked to complete the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Multidimensional Anger Inventory (MAI) and Rotter΄s Locus of Control Scale (RLCS). Results showed that anger dimensions (including anger arousal, anger-eliciting situations, hostility outlook and anger-in) and external locus of control had a positive and significant relationship with depression. Internal locus of control was negatively related to depression. Locus of control only moderated the relationship between anger-eliciting situations and depression. The relationship between anger-eliciting situations and depression was reduced by increasing levels of internal locus of control. It can be concluded that external locus of control and anger can predict depression and possibly have an intensifying effect on depressive symptoms.

Keywords: self-control, emotion, mood disorder

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