Health Locus of Control, Psychosocial/Spiritual Well-Being and Death Anxiety among Advanced-Stage Cancer Patients

Abstract

The disclosure of the diagnosis of cancer is a distressing and complex issue. Attributional style/health locus of control helps the patients to cope with their disease through their own will power and confidence. The present study makes an effort to find out the role of attributional style and explore the relation between different types of well-being and death anxiety across gender in order to strengthen their adaptability with disease. Study was conducted on 80 advanced-stage cancer patients identified as patients as per their medical history and diagnosis done by treating doctors of the hospital, selected from different cancer hospitals of west central India. The obtained data were analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics using Mann–Whitney U test, multiple correlation and regression analysis. Results revealed that majority of patients expressed external health locus of control with significant gender differences. Negative correlation was found between health locus of control and different types of well-being. In relation to death anxiety and health locus of control, a positive relationship was found showing that externally oriented patients had higher levels of death anxiety. Finally, it was found that internal locus of control is associated with better quality of life and those who are internally oriented are better able to cope with their illness in comparison with those who are externally oriented. Thus, there is a need to develop psychological and spiritual resilience so that they can manage their illness in a healthier way.