High Internal Locus Of Control Research Articles

Is there equity in long-term healthcare utilization after traumatic brain injury?

To quantify the long-term use of various types of healthcare services in patients with traumatic brain injury and to estimate the relative contribution of predisposing characteristics, enabling factors and health-related needs to determine whether there is equity in healthcare utilization. Cross-sectional study. Seventy-nine non-institutionalized moderate to severe patients with traumatic brain injury (age range 16-67 years). Healthcare use was measured at 3-5 years post-injury. The relative contribution of predisposing characteristics, enabling factors, and health-related needs to the utilization of various types of care was analysed using logistic regression to determine whether there was equity in healthcare utilization. At least one healthcare service was used by 68% of the patients. Health-related needs explained most of the utilization. However, predisposing characteristics were also related to the use of other medical care and supportive care. Patients with a high internal locus of control were more likely to be users of supportive care, and patients with a high locus of control with the physician were more likely to visit medical specialists. The results suggest that most of our patients who needed care, received care. However, inequity could not be ruled out completely as predisposing characteristics also contributed to some types of healthcare utilization.

The interaction of locus of control, self-efficacy, and outcome expectancy in relation to HbA1c in medically underserved individuals with type 2 diabetes

A common thread among health behavior theories is the importance of perceived control, often defined within the health psychology literature as locus of control. Inconsistencies have been found regarding the role of locus of control in predicting health behaviors. These inconsistencies may be resolved by exploring interactions between internal locus of control and other perceived control constructs such as self-efficacy and outcome expectancy. The present study tested the interaction of internal locus of control, self-efficacy and outcome expectancy in relation to HbA1c in patients with Type 2 diabetes. One hundred and nine medical patients who were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, predominantly from an African American as well as disadvantaged background, participated in the study. HbA1c was used to indicate gradations of medical regimen adherence. A three way interaction among the perceived control measures was related to HbA1c. Patients who reported low self-efficacy and low outcome expectancy tended to benefit the most from high internal locus of control. However, for patients with low self-efficacy and high outcome expectancy, higher scores on internal locus of control were related to poorer HbA1c levels. Future research examining perceived control constructs may benefit from investigating the interacting effects of such variables when evaluating health behaviors.

Exploring a conceptual measurement instrument to assess performance predictors of small tourism business in South Africa

Purpose: The present study was set out to develop a model of entrepreneurial leadership that can recognize success factors of the owners of small and micro tourism enterprises within the South African context. The study attempts to combine various reliable and valid measurement instruments together, in conceptualising a more comprehensive and unified model that could test the nature and extent of the interrelationships between entrepreneurial leadership, market orientation, relationship marketing orientation and small tourism performance identified in a previous study by Van Zyl and Mathur-Helm (2007). Hence, a complex measurement instrument was conceptually constructed by the present study. Problem investigated: The Van Zyl and Mathur-Helm's (2007) study found that entrepreneurial leadership could best be described through a combination of distinct components. Hence the following instruments, entrepreneurial proclivity, ethical orientation, revised self-leadership, market orientation and relationship marketing orientation, with wide ranging dimensions of entrepreneurship, tourism, marketing and leadership, were brought together in formulating a comprehensive and complex measurement instrument. Methodology: It is a descriptive and a theoretical article that conceptually describes the development of a complex measurement instrument and thus secondary data from previous studies are used as comparative analysis for discussions and examinations. Implications: The paper recommends implications for South Africa's small tourism businesses, the government and the training institutions, by suggesting a model of performance predictors that can measure entrepreneurial leadership and can distinguish between successful (performing) and unsuccessful (non-performing) owner-managers of such ventures. Moreover, the instrument is aimed at providing insights into the kind of skills that a particular entrepreneurial leader and / or an owner manager of a small tourism enterprise may need in order to perform optimally in a complex and competitive environment. Originality and Value of Research: The present study will add immense value as South Africa is one of the most popular tourist destination that stands a good prospect of expanding its opportunities for the existing and upcoming tourism ventures. Hence owners, managers and leaders of small tourism enterprises demonstrating leadership characteristics such as high internal locus of control, autonomy and achievement drive, through awareness of such characteristics and acquiring them through skills development will be able to build high performing future businesses. Conclusion: The complex measurement instrument constructed in the present study, by combining the existing tools : entrepreneurial proclivity instrument (Matsuno et al., 2002); ethical orientation instrument (Forsythe, 1980); revised self leadership instrument (Houghton and Neck, 2002); market orientation instrument (Narver and Slater, 1990); relationship marketing orientation instrument (Sin et al., 2002) and small tourism performance (Lerner and Harber, 2000; Wood 2002 and 2006) would help in identifying the vital entrepreneurial characteristics described through a combination of different dimensions.

Qualities and Health of Lay Trainers With Migraine for Behavioral Attack Prevention

To evaluate the qualities of lay trainers with migraine and to quantify their self-management results. Little is known about the qualities of lay trainers with chronic diseases and the benefits for their own health. Thirteen lay trainers (12 F, 1 M) completed a 3-step program that consisted of self-experience of a behavioral training (BT), providing BT to one fellow patient, and subsequently to a small group at home. Successful mastery of own migraine attacks was required for participation, and lay trainers received intensive guidance. Evaluation of the qualities of trainers took place post-BT by means of a specially constructed questionnaire. Their self-management was measured before self-experience of BT, post-BT, and at 6-month follow-up by a headache diary and questionnaires. The qualities of the 13 trainers were positively evaluated by 95 trainees, particularly their warmth, expertise, organization, explanation of BT, active control, and advice and guidance. Higher active control of lay trainers during the group sessions was significantly related to improvements on migraine frequency and internal locus of control in their trainees post-BT. Advice and guidance increased the likelihood of less attacks at follow-up and supportive encouragement promoted a higher internal locus of control. However, humor slightly increased the likelihood of more attacks post-BT, while fellowship and individualization negatively influenced internal locus of control. Lay trainers showed significantly more improvement in migraine frequency than their trainees at follow-up, as well as enhanced internal locus of control and quality of life. Participation in a stepwise training program can produce capable trainers and may positively influence their own health. Lay trainers may be more motivated to enhance their self-management skills as they have to present the benefits to their trainees.

Poster 37: Relationship of Health Beliefs to Health Service Utilization in Minority Persons With First Episode Stroke

Objective: To investigate the relationship of health beliefs to health service utilization in minority stroke survivors. Design: Prospective, longitudinal prediction study. Setting: County rehabilitation hospital. Participants: 61 persons with first episode symptomatic stroke consecutively admitted to the inpatient rehabilitation unit at a county rehabilitation hospital (48% men, 59% Hispanic, 41% black). 78% of Hispanics were born outside the United States and spoke Spanish as their primary language. 85% of participants reported annual household income of less than $20,000. Primary caregivers were also recruited for each participant with stroke. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: The predictor measure was the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, administered to patients and caregivers within 1 week before discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. The outcome measure was health service utilization, defined as the percentage of medical and therapy appointments attended over the first 6 months following discharge, dichotomized as high or low, using the fiftieth percentile as a cutoff, with those who attended at least 71% of appointments classified as high attendance. Results: Results of logistic regression showed that patients were more likely to fall in the high attendance group if they had higher internal locus of control, if their caregivers had lower chance locus of control, and if they were U.S. born. The interaction between being U.S. born and chance locus of control was also significant. Conclusions: In first-episode stroke patients from low income backgrounds, health beliefs are related to health service utilization after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Educational interventions to address locus of control may lead to improved follow through with appointments.

The impact of locus of control on job stress, job performance and job satisfaction in Taiwan

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between locus of control and the work‐related behavioral measures of job stress, job satisfaction and job performance in Taiwan.Design/methodology/approachSubjects were drawn from a pool of accounting professionals who completed a questionnaire made up of valid and reliable instruments that measured each of the variables studied.FindingsThe findings indicate that one aspect of an accountants' personality, as measured by locus of control, plays an important role in predicting in the level of job satisfaction, stress and performance in CPA firms in Taiwan. Individuals with a higher internal locus of control are more likely to have lower levels of job stress and higher levels of job performance and satisfaction.Practical implicationsThe results indicate that locus of control plays an important role in the overall effectiveness of accountants, even in a non‐western culture like Taiwan.Originality/valueThis was a study of a non‐Western culture and focused on individuals in a profession rather than occupations not requiring professional credentials.

Locus of control moderates the relationship between headache pain and depression.

The aim of the current study was to triangulate qualitative and quantitative data in order to examine in greater detail the relationship between self-reported headache pain severity, depression and coping styles. Psychosocial scales, headache characteristic scales and in-depth interviews were administered to 71 adults with the diagnosis of primary headache. Regression analyses with the scales showed that greater self-reported headache pain severity was associated with higher levels of depression. A high internal locus of control weakened the relationship between the headache severity and depression variables. The qualitative data supported the relationship between pain severity and internal locus of control and, in addition, revealed that perceived efficacy of pharmacologic intervention might be a related factor. The results suggested that stronger coping skills might reduce depression among headache sufferers.

Predictors for successful vocational rehabilitation for clients with back pain problems

Purpose. The aim of this study was to identify predicting factors for successful vocational rehabilitation for people with back pain problems.Method. The study was based on data from 347 long-term sick-listed clients collected at the onset of vocational rehabilitation. The outcome was measured 6 months after the conclusion of rehabilitation.Results. In a first bi-variate analysis, a considerable number of variables were associated with the rehabilitation outcome. In a second multivariate analysis, only four associations remained. These were age, general health, vitality and internal locus of control. Young vital clients in good general health, with a high internal locus of control were more likely than others to return to work.Conclusion. The findings regarding age, general health and vitality are well in line with previous studies. The findings regarding internal locus of control are more unique.

Correlates of the Protestant Ethic of Hard Work: Results From a Diverse Ethno‐Religious Sample

We examine the demographic and personality correlates of the Protestant ethic and how it correlates with contemporary individual and social issues. Success is more prevalent among Christian fundamentalists, those who were born outside the United States, individualists, individuals who have a higher locus of control, and individuals who believe in a just world. Hard work is more prevalent among Asian Americans and Filipinos, women, those who have a higher internal locus of control, and those who believe in a just world. Our data show that success and hard work are correlated positively with hours worked, total hours worked, and liberalization of drug laws. No other study has examined these issues using a diverse ethno‐religious sample.

Personality, lifestyle, and risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer: follow-up of population based cohort

Objective To study the relation between measures of personality and risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer in a large cohort.Design Follow-up of population based cohort.Setting Heidelberg, Germany.Participants 5114 women and...

Medication barriers and anti-hypertensive medication adherence: The moderating role of locus of control

Locus of control as a moderator of the relationship between medication barriers (e.g., side-effects, forgetting to take medication, and keeping track of pills) and anti-hypertensive medication adherence was examined. Baseline data were obtained from 588 hypertensive veterans. In general, fewer medication barriers, higher internal locus of control and lower external locus of control was associated with better hypertensive medication adherence. Furthermore, internal locus of control served as a moderator (β = −.74, p < .01) for the relationship between medication barriers and medication adherence; effect size was large. Decomposition of the interaction revealed that the relationship between medication barriers and medication adherence was strongest when internal control was high (b = −.24, p < .01). Higher internal locus of control was beneficial when barriers to medication adherence are low, but at high perceived barriers, locus of control plays less of a role in medication adherence. Future efforts to improve medication adherence should consider the patient's perceived level of medication barriers in conjunction with their locus of control.

The extended health belief model applied to the experience of diabetes in young people

The experience of diabetes in young people was investigated within the theoretical framework of the extended health belief model (EHBM). It was anticipated that participant reports of high internal locus of control, high diabetes related empowerment, coping with hypoglycaemia, and diabetes related social support would be associated with good patient adherence to the self-care regime. 118 participants aged 16-25 years with Type 1 diabetes mellitus were sent a set of questionnaires incorporating previously published scales measuring all variables of the EHBM. High levels of family support and low locus of control beliefs in powerful others to control their diabetes reduce the young person's perception of severity and vulnerability to diabetes related complications. High internal locus of control beliefs and high levels of self-efficacy predicted the benefits of adhering to the self-care regime as outweighing the costs of doing so. Adherence to self-care regime was predicted by high levels of family support. The final model explained 12% of the variance in the young person's adherence to diabetes self-care regime. It is proposed that the EHBM is an adequate model for understanding the socio-psychological factors present in the young person's appraisal of their diabetes, which, in turn, influences adherence to the diabetes self-care regime.

Health locus of control and preventive behaviour among students of music

The present study investigated health locus of control, preventive behaviour and previous playing-related health problems of music students; 326 students of music (58% female, mean age 22 years) filled in the Locus of Control Inventory for Illness and Health (Lohaus and Schmitt, 1989) and the Epidemiological Questionnaire for Musicians (Spahn, 1998). It was shown that previous playing-related problems, being a string instrumentalist or a singer as well as high powerful others locus of control (LOC) and low external chance LOC, were predictive factors for the utilizing of preventive measures. It was not possible to confirm that a high internal LOC, in and of itself, furthers preventive behaviour. For prevention programmes at universities of music, it would seem important that previous health problems are actively ascertained at the commencement of the course of study, as they are an important point of departure for further, differentiated preventive counselling measures.

Incremental Validity of Locus of Control After Controlling for Cognitive Ability and Conscientiousness

This research examined the criterion-related validity of work-specific locus of control in predicting job performance, including incremental validity after controlling for cognitive ability and conscientiousness. Data from a student sample and from a large employee sample were used to evaluate the scale properties of measures of locus of control, conscientiousness, and cognitive ability. Two concurrent criterion-related validation studies were then conducted to evaluate the incremental validity of locus of control. In both validation studies, locus of control demonstrated overall and incremental relationships with performance after controlling for ability and conscientiousness, such that employees with higher internal locus of control performed more effectively than externals.

Characteristics of academically excellent business studies students in a post-1992 university

In contrast to the extensive investigation of the characteristics of students who fail or perform badly in ‘new’ universities, research into the factors associated with academic excellence within post-1992 institutions has been sparse. This empirical study examined the profile of a sample of 81 high-flying business studies undergraduates in a new university in Greater London. The profile was then compared with that of 193 business undergraduates who were ‘ordinary’ in academic terms. A model intended to explain a student's categorisation as ‘good’ or ‘ordinary’ was constructed on the basis of prior academic literature relating to student performance as a whole. Tests of the model revealed that students in the academically excellent group tended to have a high internal locus of control and high intrinsic (rather than extrinsic) motivation to study. They worked hard and conscientiously, and devoted substantially more hours to private study than their ‘ordinary’ counterparts. Good students did not select the easiest options, and greatly preferred examinations to group-work assessment. Overall, the results implied that academic excellence was more the consequence of an individual's effort and ability than the person's socio-economic background. There were no significant connections between a student falling into the academically excellent category and that individual's financial status. The levels of a person's academic self-concept and social integration into life at university failed to explain the student's categorisation as ‘good’ or ‘ordinary’.

Other: Relationships between pain health locus of control (PLOC) and the coping strategies questionnaire (CSQ)

This study examined ways in which the Pain Health Locus of Control (PLOC) questionnaire was related to Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ). The purpose of this study is to measure the degree to which participants perceive control of his/her health as arising from Internal, External, Powerful Others loci, and its relationship to how they cope with pain. The 27 female (mean age 32.4 years) and 15 male (mean age 30.5 years) healthy participants completed the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ) and Health Locus of Control Scale adapted for pain (PLOC). The 3 PLOC scales were regressed on the 7 Pain Coping Strategy subscales controlling for the effects of sex, age, and education. Regression of the Internal Locus of Control scores were correlated with the CSQ 2 subscales: Coping Self Statements, r = .42, p < .007 and Ignoring Sensations, r = .45, p < .05. Regression of External Locus of Control scores were correlated with the CSQ subscale: Catastrophizing, r = .47, p < .004. Regression of the Powerful Other Locus of Control scores were correlated with the CSQ 2 subscales: Increase Behavioral Activities, r = .54, p < .006, and Praying/Hoping, r = .57, p < .01. Participants with high Internal Locus of Control are better at using self reliant coping skills in order to ameliorate pain. Participants with high External Locus of Control rely on negative, and less optimistic expectations. Participants with high Powerful Others Locus of Control rely on increased hoping and praying. One's attitude toward the self, the psychological environment, and religion influence which coping strategies are used to ameliorate pain.

Influence of psychological factors in the use of patient controlled analgesia

Abstract This study involves 71 patients (15 males and 56 females, mean age 49.7 years) undergoing intermediate or major surgery who were given intravenous patient controlled analgesia (PCA) with morphine. The night prior to surgery each patient completed the multidimensional health locus of control scale, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and the state and trait anxiety questionnaire. At 24 h post-operatively state anxiety, pain scores, PCA usage, self-reported quality of analgesia, and self-reported satisfaction with PCA were assessed. Self-reported quality of analgesia had a significant negative relationship with trait anxiety, and there was a trend for quality of analgesia to be higher in those who strongly believe in the importance of efficacy in their own actions (i.e. high internal locus of control). Satisfaction with PCA was associated negatively with nausea, trait anxiety, and Eysenck’s measure of tough-mindedness (EPQ-P). There was no relationship between the intravenous patient controlled analgesia dose demand ratio and the locus of control or other personality variables, which may be because the device is so easy to use.

The Importance of Active Lifestyles for Memory Performance and Memory Self-Knowledge

The relation between knowledge about memory capacity, delayed recall on a 15-word-list task, and sociological lifestyle variables was examined in a sample of 1,398 adults ranging in age between 25 and 82. Participants were sampled from a registration network of family medical practices representing the general population of the south of The Netherlands. Participants were stratified for age, sex, and level of occupational achievement. We found that lifestyle opportunity structure as indicated by social network characteristics and lifestyle conduct as indicated by activity scores were related positively to the dependent variables of memory knowledge and delayed recall. Study results showed that participants with better delayed recall scores had larger social networks, were younger, were more frequently female, had more years of education, and were less externally oriented. Participants with higher metamemory capacity scores had more frequent contacts in their social network, considered themselves more frequently an active person, were younger, were female, reported fewer health complaints, and had a higher internal locus of control. Delayed recall scores did not predict metamemory capacity scores after we controlled for other variables. The results support the conclusion that cognitive performance is influenced significantly by lifestyle components.

The Importance of Active Lifestyles for Memory Performance and Memory Self-Knowledge

The relation between knowledge about memory capacity, delayed recall on a 15-word-list task, and sociological lifestyle variables was examined in a sample of 1,398 adults ranging in age between 25 and 82. Participants were sampled from a registration network of family medical practices representing the general population of the south of The Netherlands. Participants were stratified for age, sex, and level of occupational achievement. We found that lifestyle opportunity structure as indicated by social network characteristics and lifestyle conduct as indicated by activity scores were related positively to the dependent variables of memory knowledge and delayed recall. Study results showed that participants with better delayed recall scores had larger social networks, were younger, were more frequently female, had more years of education, and were less externally oriented. Participants with higher metamemory capacity scores had more frequent contacts in their social network, considered themselves more frequently an active person, were younger, were female, reported fewer health complaints, and had a higher internal locus of control. Delayed recall scores did not predict metamemory capacity scores after we controlled for other variables. The results support the conclusion that cognitive performance is influenced significantly by lifestyle components.

The Demands-Control-Support model, locus of control and job dissatisfaction: A longitudinal study

The Job-Demands-Control model (Karasek, 1979) has been widely studied in the job stress field, but the results obtained are frequently contradictory. Therefore, some investigations have expanded the model by including social support and personality characteristics such as locus of control. However, results obtained with these elaborated models have not been conclusive either. The present study sets out to integrate both types of expansions by simultaneously including social support at work and the employee's locus of control in a longitudinal multi-national study among 542 administrative personnel from Belgium, England, Spain, Italy and Israel. Hierarchical moderated multiple regression showed a significant 4-way interaction term (Demands 2 Control 2 Social support 2 Locus of control) on the change in job dissatisfaction. This effect is qualified by the interaction between job demands and control only for an internal locus of control with high social support. Contrary to the prediction of the JDC model, which posits that high control has a buffering effect on job dissatisfaction, the study result indicates a damaging effect of excess control (perceived job control and high internal locus of control), specifically in high social support situations.