Development of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) Scales

TLDR

Scales have been developed to assess beliefs about whether health‑related behavior reinforcement comes from internal factors, chance, or powerful others, building on earlier general Health Locus of Control scales derived from Rotter's social learning theory. The study describes the development of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scales. The authors extended the general Health Locus of Control framework to include internal, chance, and powerful others dimensions, creating the new multidimensional scales. Equivalent forms of the scales are presented with initial internal consistency and validity data, and potential applications are suggested.

Abstract

The development of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scales is described. Scales have been developed to tap beliefs that the source of reinforcements for health-related behaviors is primarily in ternal, a matter of chance, or under the control of powerful others. These scales are based on earlier work with a general Health Locus of Control scale, which, in turn, was developed from Rotter's social learn ing theory. Equivalent forms of the scales are presented along with initial internal consistency and validity data. Possible means of utilizing these scales are provided.