Health Locus of Control and Self Care Behavior in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Health Locus of Control (HLC) is an individual belief in controlling current health conditions, which is possibly determined by internal or external factors. Belief in the source of health control will influence the effectiveness of diabetes self-care management. This study aimed to analyze the correlation between Internal Health Locus of Control (IHLC), Powerful others Health Locus of Control (PHLC), and Chance Health Locus of Control (CHLC) with self-care behavior in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. This research applied an observational analytic design with a cross-sectional approach. A total of 84 respondents were enrolled in this study by using the consecutive sampling technique. Data collection was conducted by administering questionnaires of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLCS) and Summary of Diabetes Self Care Activities (SDSCA). Data were analyzed by using the Pearson correlation test with a significance level of 0.05. The result showed that PHLC had the highest score of the mean value (26.95) compared to IHLC (25.55) and CHLC (19.25). The mean value of self-care behavior was 3.5. There was significant positive correlation between IHLC and self-care behavior (p-value: 0.001; r: 0.485), significant negative correlation between PHLC and self-care behavior (p-value: 0.048; r: -0.217), and significant negative correlation between CHLC and self-care behavior (p-value: 0.001; r: -0.350). The higher the IHLC score in type 2 DM patients, the better the patient's self-care behavior. However, the higher the PHLC or CHLC score in type 2 DM patients, the lower the patient's self-care behavior. Patients with high IHLC depend on themselves and have awareness of the importance of health. This study suggests the importance of assessing the patient's HLC and providing psychoeducation about HLC, control behaviors, and self-awareness to optimize diabetes self-care in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Relationship Between Health Locus of Control (HLC) and Self Management in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

“…There was no relationship between internal HLC and self care in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis (p value = 0.438; r = -0.104). The results of this study are not in line with research conducted by Asri, Widayati, & Aini (2020) which shows that there is an internal relationship between HLC and the self-care behavior of people with type-2 DM. Someone will depend on themselves and have an awareness of the importance of health so that it will lead to good self-care behavior.…”

“…According to Dogonchi et al (2022), one of the factors that can contribute to increasing behavior related to one's health is Health Locus of Control (HLC). Health Locus of Control (HLC) is one of the psychological aspects in patients with chronic kidney disease who are undergoing therapy which often goes undetected and gets little attention so that the goal of optimal disease treatment is not achieved (Suryani et al, 2021).…”

Predictors of Self-Care Behavior: The Roles of Type D Personality and Locus of Control in Adults

“…Patients with this personality type often exhibit poorer self-care behaviors, notably in diabetes and heart failure contexts, suggesting a direct impact of psychological traits on health management effectiveness (Dadras et al, 2022;Lin et al, 2020). Conversely, locus of control, which delineates an individual's belief in their capacity to influence events that affect them, has been identified as another crucial determinant of self-care behaviors (Allen et al, 2005;Asri et al, 2020). Individuals with an external locus of control perceive outcomes as largely beyond their control, which may lead to lower self-efficacy and diminished engagement in self-care activities (Lin, 2014).…”

“…Individuals with an external locus of control perceive outcomes as largely beyond their control, which may lead to lower self-efficacy and diminished engagement in self-care activities (Lin, 2014). This perception can significantly hamper adherence to treatment regimens and self-management protocols, underscoring the necessity for healthcare providers to consider these psychological dimensions when designing patient-centered interventions (Allen et al, 2005;Asri et al, 2020).…”