Relationship of health locus of control with specific health behaviours and global health appraisal: a meta-analysis and effects of moderators

Abstract

Health locus of control (HLOC) refers to beliefs regarding how one’s health is influenced by oneself, others, or fate. This meta-analysis investigated whether three HLOC dimensions (internality/I-HLOC, powerful others/P-HLOC, chance/C-HLOC) were related to both specific health behaviours and global health appraisal, and whether these relationships were moderated by gender and age compositions, individualism, and power distance. Three-level mixed-effects meta-analysis was performed on studies examining the associations of HLOC with specific health behaviour (k = 76, N = 76,580, 57% women, M age = 43.75) and global health appraisal (k = 95, N = 12,068, 57% women, M age = 45.44), respectively. For specific health behaviour, the averaged correlations with the HLOC dimensions were generally weak (r’s = −.07 to .10). However, the links between P-HLOC and exercise were moderated by all four demographic moderators, and gender composition and individualism moderated the association between the HLOC dimensions and diet. For global health appraisal, all of the averaged correlations were statistically significant (r’s = −.16 to .21), except that between P-HLOC and mental quality of life. The results further showed individualism and power distance to moderate the links between the HLOC dimensions and both mental and physical quality of life, and gender composition to moderate those between these dimensions and two indicators of emotional problems (depression and anxiety).

Learning R Programming Language With Psi Chi

“…For example, the present findings are consistent with a study comprised of a nationally representative German sample in which adults who scored higher on the internal HLOC scale reported engaging in more healthrelated behaviors (Grotz, Hapke, Lampert, & Baumeister, 2011). Moreover, a metaanalysis of 76 studies with adults-some of which were crosssectional-showed that stronger internal HLOC orientations were associated with two health promoting behaviors, specifically exercise and diet (Cheng, Cheung, & Lo, 2016). Interestingly, internal HLOC orientations were not significantly associated with healthcompromising behaviors such as smoking or drinking alcohol (Cheng et al, 2016).…”

“…Interestingly, internal HLOC orientations were not significantly associated with healthcompromising behaviors such as smoking or drinking alcohol (Cheng et al, 2016). In addition, internal HLOC orientations were associated with mental and physical quality of life, as well as lower levels of anxiety and depres sion (Cheng et al, 2016). Although this previous research supports associations between HLOC and better health, it speaks solely to the correlational relationship between HLOC and health.…”

“…Moreover, a metaanalysis of 76 studies with adults-some of which were crosssectional-showed that stronger internal HLOC orientations were associated with two health promoting behaviors, specifically exercise and diet (Cheng, Cheung, & Lo, 2016). Interestingly, internal HLOC orientations were not significantly associated with healthcompromising behaviors such as smoking or drinking alcohol (Cheng et al, 2016). In addition, internal HLOC orientations were associated with mental and physical quality of life, as well as lower levels of anxiety and depres sion (Cheng et al, 2016).…”

“Don’t sit back with the geraniums, get out”: The complexity of older women’s stories of sport participation

“…On an individual level, the manner in which our participants resist an aging body, and the control they attempt to assert over various physical and social barriers, may be an effective and empowering way to approach their lives. Much of the literature in psychology suggests that locus of control (i.e., beliefs regarding whether one's health is controlled by oneself, others, or fate) is an important predictor of mental health and well-being, as well as proactive behaviour (Cheng, Cheung & Lo, 2016;Cobb-Clark, Cassenboemher & Schurer, 2014;Norman, Bennett, Smith, & Murphy, 1997). From a societal perspective, however, this focus on individual agency is problematic, for it assumes that everyone, irrespective of health condition or economic circumstance, can exert similar control over the aging process (Gard et al, 2017;Gard & Dionigi, 2016).…”

The pain, depression, disability pathway in those with low back pain: a moderation analysis of health locus of control

“… 24 – 27 A recent meta-analysis of 76 independent studies illustrated the relevance of HLoC on a broad range of health outcomes and health behaviors. 28 Furthermore, specific research evidence on HLoC and pain conditions has shown that HLoC constructs of Internality (ie, low) and Externality (ie, high) are associated with higher pain intensity, increased psychological morbidity in those with pain, 29 , 30 and can influence an individual’s response to treatment. 31 , 32 At present, pain research has considered HLoC as a covariate factor (ie, mediator explaining a relationship between pain and another variable, or associating with outcomes for those with pain), often focused on response to treatment.…”