Chronic Illness and Health Locus of Control Beliefs

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between illness-related experiences and health locus of control (HLC) attitudes in chronically ill patients, including adult-onset diabetics, hypertensives, and pulmonary disease patients. A total of 250 male ambulatory patients averaging 60 years of age were interviewed regarding history of medical treatment, general health status, satisfaction with medical care, and the effects of illness on daily activities. Patients also completed HLC measures Multiple-regression analyses assessed the relationship between illness experience and HLC attitudes. Illness symptoms were related to low internal HLC, and satisfaction with treatment was related to high powerful others HLC Additionally, these older, chronically ill patients expressed stronger chance and stronger powerful others HLC beliefs than did persons from other studies.