ACHIEVEMENT MOTIVATION AND PERCEIVED STRESS AMONG GEN Z MBA STUDENTS IN MUMBAI: THE MODERATING ROLE OF LOCUS OF CONTROL

DOI: https://doie.org/10.65985/APER.2026596579

Authors:

Jauzinah Danesh Borzu, Dr. Rajesh Chouksey

Keywords:

Achievement Motivation, Locus of Control, Perceived Stress, Generation Z, MBA Students, Mumbai

Abstract:

This research paper investigates the relationship between achievement motivation, perceived stress, and locus of control (LoC) among Generation Z (Gen Z) Management (MBA) students in Mumbai. This study evaluates three primary hypotheses viz. the positive correlation between achievement motivation and perceived stress (H1); the predictive power of internal LoC in reducing perceived stress which acts as a psychological buffer (H2); and the role of LoC as a moderator in the relationship between achievement motivation and perceived stress (H3). For this research we have utilized a quantitative research methodology and data was collected from a sample of 200 Gen Z management students from 3 management institutes in Mumbai using the Rotter Internal-External Locus of Control Scale, the Deo-Mohan Achievement Motivation Scale, and the Perceived Stress Scale using an online survey form (Deo & Mohan, 1985; Rotter, 1966; Cohen et al., 1983). The results of the research confirm that while high achievement motivation often intensifies stress in Mumbai's competitive environment, an internal locus of control significantly weakens this negative relationship by fostering a sense of personal agency (Rajagopal & Sivaranjani, 2025). The findings offer critical implications for business schools to integrate resilience-based coaching and stress management strategies into the curriculum to support the next generation of high-achieving leaders (Elizabeth Chacko et al., 2023).

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