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| Amber D. Lazarus Project Title: Results from the first phase of the MARIAL Family Narratives project, suggest that knowing family history can be a protective factor in times of adversity and crisis. Findings indicated that children’s knowledge of family events influences and is associated with self-esteem, anxiety, and family functioning and locus of control. The most robust results, however, exemplified an important relationship between knowledge of family history and locus of control. Locus of control is described as generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. People with an internal locus of control believe that their own actions determine the rewards that they obtain, while those with an external locus of control believe that their own behavior doesn't matter much and that rewards in life are generally outside of their control. The relationship between locus of control and a plethora of other constructs has led some psychologists to label locus of control as a master variable. Correlates of master variables signify existing associations Between all things related to that variable. Thus, there is a relationship between family functioning, self-esteem, hardiness, and family knowledge because all are associated with locus of control. In other words, changes among these variables will moderate internal and external attitudes, ultimately affecting other variables associated with it. Locus of control has been extensively studied in both children and adults; however, researchers have failed to examine this pervasive construct within families. Thus, the purpose of my dissertation is to examine the existence of family locus of control as a mean for fostering resilient attitudes and beliefs in children. The concept of a family locus of control is a relatively unexplored area, but the implications of this construct as a family variable are important. This line of research to incorporate myth and ritual would bring together two very important concepts, locus of control and family narratives; this is the goal of my dissertation. Of Ketchup and Kin: Dinnertime Conversations as a Major Source of Family Knowledge, Family Adjustment, and Family Resilience
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