The Headache‐Specific Locus of Control Scale: Adaptation to Recurrent Headaches

Abstract

This paper describes the development, psychometric properties, and construct and incremental validity of a Headache-Specific Locus of Control Scale (HSLC). The HSLC is a 33 item scale designed specifically for recurrent headache sufferers. It assesses the individual's perceptions that headache problems and headache relief are determined primarily by: the individual's behavior (Internal factors), Health Care Professionals, or Chance factors. The psychometric properties of the HSLC were satisfactory. Among our findings were that: (1) the belief that headache problems and relief are determined by chance factors was associated with higher levels of depression, physical complaints, reliance on maladaptive pain coping strategies (p less than .001), and greater headache-related disability (p less than .01); (2) the belief that headache problems and relief are influenced primarily by the ministrations of health care professionals was associated with higher levels of medication use (p less than .01) and preference for medical treatment (p less than .001); and (3) the belief that headache problems are determined by the individual's responses and behaviors was associated with a preference for self-regulation treatment (p less than .01). These findings suggest adaptation to headache problems is influenced not only by the frequency and severity of the headache episodes, but by locus of control beliefs. The assessment of locus of control beliefs may provide useful information not typically obtained from standard medical evaluations.

A Shortened Version of the Headache‐Specific Locus of Control Scale in Spanish Population

“…Regarding the first kind of indicators, our results agreed with those obtained in other studies with respect to greater disorder-impact associated with higher LOC-C scores, 13,52,53 unlike it happens -although to a lower extent-with LOC-P, of which there is also certain evidence 13,52 .…”

“…Both results concur with evidence obtained in the cited works. 13,52,53 Under clinical perspective, our results support the idea that it is more important to keep patients from developing LOC-C rather than boosting LOC-I and LOC-P expectations. According to that supported by …”

“…The selected items were those with greater weight (between .79 and .80) in the structure proposed by Martin et al 52 (see Table 2). The proposed model was estimated by using the LISREL 8.71 software application.…”

“…According to our study, the included items corresponded to their respective factors, as it had occurred in both the original study 52 and in the validation study. 58 The same also occurred during the development of MHLC.…”

Medium-term effectiveness of online behavioral training in migraine self-management: A randomized trial controlled over 10 months

“…Perceived control over migraine was assessed with the Dutch translation of the Headache-Specific Locus of Control Scale (HSLC) (33) reflecting the expectation that the onset, course and severity of one's migraine can be influenced by one's own actions (11 items), fate/chance (11 items), or actions of medical professionals (11 items). Item responses range from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) and higher scores indicate more control.…”