The health locus of control and health behaviours declared by students of health sciences

Abstract

Introduction. Health locus of control is an essential factor affecting lifestyle which plays a major role in choosing health behaviours by individuals including young ones. Aim. The aim of the study was the determination of selected conditions of health control and health behaviours in students of health sciences. Material and methods. The study encompassed 175 students of health sciences at the Medical University of Lublin. The multidimensional health locus of control scale (MHLC), version B, by Z. Juczyński was applied as it measures expectations in three dimensions of health control: internal, external (influence of others) and chance. A special authors’ questionnaire compiled for the purpose was used to assess health behaviours. Results. The results of the study show that the internal dimension of health control (25.86 points) has the greatest impact on health in the group studied. The oldest study participants dwelling in the countryside gave this dimension a higher ranking than other study participants. For the students health behaviours included fastening seat belts, healthy nutrition and doing sports. Conclusions. The internal dimension of health control constitutes an essential factor determining health behaviours of the study participants. The students who are not able to assess whether they are healthy individuals, significantly more frequently perceive the greatest influence of others on their health.

Nutritional Behaviors, Health Literacy, and Health Locus of Control of Secondary Schoolers in Southern Poland: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…A significant association was reported for MHLC and dietary patterns [23], body mass index (BMI) [24], quality of life in patients with diabetes [25], the effect of organic food label on food consumption [26], compliance with childhood vaccinations [27], self-assessed health [28], cyberbullying and being victimized [29], and even for mortality [30]. The studies performed in Polish populations revealed a significant association between IHLC and health behaviors, including health nutrition, physical activity and using safety belts in cars, in students of health sciences [31], between PHLC and health behaviors in medical workers [32], and between IHLC, PHLC, and health behaviors in adults from other professional groups [32]. Mazur et al reported a significant correlation between HL as measured with Health Literacy for School-Aged Children (HLSAC) and IHLC and PHLC subscale scores in a group of junior high school students.…”

Type D Personality and Health Behaviors in People Living with Obesity

“…Unfortunately, there has been no other research in Poland relating to the general population. However, studies on selected groups have shown that the average scores obtained for the Internal Dimension can range from 25.4 (people working in non-medical professions) [ 117 ] through 25.8 (students of health sciences) [ 118 ] to 26.2 (groups of healthcare professionals) [ 117 ] and for the Chance Dimension from 19.6 (people working in non-medical professions) [ 117 ] through 20.0 (students of health sciences) [ 118 ] to 20.2 (groups of healthcare professionals) [ 117 ]. Foreign research also supports the above findings.…”