Relationship of health locus of control to lifestyle change programs

Abstract

The relationship of health locus of control (HLC) scores to changes in physical parameters of 339 participants in a lifestyle change program was examined. Physical parameters included weight, blood pressure, low density lipoproteins, triglycerides, and the ratio between cholesterol and high density lipoproteins. Data were collected on admission and on completion of the 24-day residential program, and at a 6-month followup. There were significant changes in HLC scores (p less than .001) from admission to discharge. Weight changes at 6 months were positively correlated with admission HLC composite scores (p less than .01) and chance dimension (p less than .05) scores. There were negative correlations at 6 months between admission powerful other scores and changes in triglycerides (p less than .01) and changes in the ratio of cholesterol and high density lipids (p less than .01).

Social capital, political trust, and health locus of control: A population-based study

“…The issue of external locus of control may be an example of personal psychological traits which may be associated with structural economic and social developments in society. Still, it has been demonstrated that the psychological traits internal versus external locus of control are possible to affect by intervention among post-myocardial infarction patients at the level of secondary prevention [29] as well as health-related behaviours at the level of primary intervention [30]. The rather high prevalence of external health locus of control in the general population in Skåne implies that primary prevention in the form of motivational interventions at the intrapersonal level through the primary healthcare system in combination with structural interventions in the community may yield results.…”

Psychosocial work conditions, unemployment and health locus of control: A population-based study

“…Beliefs in the possibility of influencing one's own health may be formed during childhood, during adolescence, and partly during adulthood. However, it has been shown that the psychological traits internal vs. external locus of control can be affected, at least to some extent, by intervention among postmyocardial infarction patients and other patients [25,26]. It thus seems possible to affect health locus of control during adult life.…”

Social capital and lack of belief in the possibility to influence one's own health: A population-based study

“…Previous studies have shown that the psychological preconditions internal versus external locus of control are possible to affect to at least some extent by intervention among post-myocardial infarction patients and other patients [29,30]. Increasing especially social participation/involvement in social networks may be one way to intervene to achieve internal locus of control.…”