| Abstract: | Explored the origins of health locus of control (HLC) beliefs using a multidimensional HLC battery that was administered to 270 undergraduates. A structural equations analysis showed that beliefs in Self-Control Over Health were positively related to early health habits involving self-care and medical professionals and negatively related to prior family experiences with sickness. Beliefs in Provider Control Over Health were positively related to early health habits involving medical professionals and negatively related to prior sickness experiences in one's family. Beliefs in Chance Health Outcomes were positively related to prior sickness experiences. None of these dimensions of HLC were affected by recent sickness experiences, supporting a view of HLC beliefs as fairly stable individual-difference measures developed relatively early in life. (36 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
