Internal Locus Of Control Beliefs Research Articles

Association of chronic disease self-management with health locus of control study on diabetic patients

Aims: It was aimed at determining the relationship between chronic disease self-management and health locus of control in diabetic patients. Methods: Data were collected by the face-to-face survey method from diabetic patients over the age of 18 who were receiving inpatient treatment in a public hospital. Results: According to the research results; The total score average of the participants from the chronic disease self-management scale was moderate (mean: 64.11 Min: 21-Max: 105), w but treatment compliance (mean:15.81 Min:5-Max:25) ) was found to be at a medium level. The participants' internal locus of control score (mean: 25.08, Min: 9-Max: 36) was found to be higher than other sub-dimensions. As a result of the correlation analyses carried out; statistically significant relationships were obtained between chronic disease self-management total and sub-dimensions and health locus of control sub-dimensions. Conclusion: Statistically significant relationships were obtained between the chronic disease self-management total and sub-dimensions and the health locus of control sub-dimensions. It can be said that the participants have more internal locus of control beliefs.

The seemingly ‘protective’ effect of internalised racism on overall health among 780 Black/African Americans: the serial mediation of stigma consciousness and locus of control

Objective Internalised racism (IR) is associated with better and worse health outcomes among racial/ethnic minorities. However, the underlying mechanisms associating IR with either positive or negative health outcomes are not well understood. Design & main outcomes measures: To address this gap, this study investigated two pathways that associate increased IR with better self-reported overall health (OH; i.e. dental, mental, physical and vision health) among 780 Black/African American adults (mean age 37.68 years, 57.6% female): (1) via stigma consciousness and (2) via stigma consciousness and locus of control beliefs. Results Consistent with predictions, stigma consciousness mediated the indirect effect of IR on OH, such that higher IR was associated with lower stigma consciousness, which was associated with better self-reported OH. Confirming predictions, this indirect effect was also carried through locus of control beliefs, such that higher IR was associated with lower stigma consciousness; lower stigma consciousness was also associated with internal locus of control beliefs, which were associated with better self-reported OH. Conclusions Although seemingly protective, this adaptive, strategic and short-term response to race-based threat in which group stereotypes are internalised can lead to negative health outcomes over time. These findings have implications for understanding IR and associated health disparities.

Academic Outcomes of High School Students in Northern Ghana: The Mediator Role of Locus of Control

The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the relationship between academic outcomes and locus control beliefs among high school students in the Northern Region of Ghana. Using survey methods and multivariate analyses, the results found relatively higher scores in external locus of control beliefs than internal locus of control beliefs among the study participants. External locus of control was inversely related to test scores, and no relationship was found between internal locus of control beliefs and test scores. The results also found significant differences in locus of control beliefs between rural and urban high school students, with urban students reporting higher internal locus of control beliefs than their rural counterparts. Implications for educational policy and practice are discussed.

Impact of a mobile app on medication adherence and adherence-related beliefs in patients with type 2 diabetes

ObjectivesTo assess the impact of a customizable medication management mobile app (Medsimple) on medication adherence and adherence-related beliefs in patients with type 2 diabetes. The app contains a medication database, list tracking, reminders, cost-saving information, and other features. A second objective was to determine differentiating factors associated with 6 months of use. DesignA prospective, observational, single-cohort study using previously tested scales at 3 time points over 6 months. Settings and participantsParticipants included a convenience sample of community-dwelling adults with type 2 diabetes in the United States who used at least 2 prescriptions, had Internet access, and used e-mail and a mobile device for operating the study app. Outcome measuresParticipants who served as their own controls were assessed on psychosocial theory–based concepts of self-efficacy, locus of control, and outcome expectations in addition to self-reported adherence. Instrument reliability, repeated assessments, and differential dropout analyses were conducted. ResultsRepeated assessments of 51, 49, and 41 participants occurred at baseline and 90 and 180 days (6 months), respectively. Instrument measurement of concepts showed strong reliability, except in the locus of control subscales. Participants exhibited no significant change on the scales of self-reported adherence behaviors or adherence-related beliefs during the study. Results showed that the mobile app may have influenced specific adherence behaviors or beliefs, but significant differences on overall scales were not found. Differential dropout analyses comparing study finishers to dropouts revealed that 6-month use was associated with being younger, lower self-efficacy beliefs, lower internal locus of control beliefs, and lower adherence behaviors. ConclusionScales were reliable to measure concepts but the locus of control scale warrants further testing. The mobile app may not affect adherence and adherence-related beliefs in a 6-month period. Further testing is needed to determine benefit for patients with specific adherence behaviors or who hold certain beliefs.

Oral health care-related beliefs among Finnish geriatric home care nurses.

The aim was to investigate beliefs about oral health care tasks among nursing staff caring for home-dwelling older people using the Nursing Dental Coping Beliefs (nursing DCBS) index. The study population comprised nursing staff working at the homes and sheltered accommodations of older people in Ylivieska, Finland (N = 141). The data were collected using the nursing DCBS index (five-point Likert scale). On average, the nurses held moderate to high Oral health care beliefs, Internal locus of control beliefs and External locus of control beliefs, but low beliefs about Self-efficacy. The nurses with an earlier adjunct education scored lower for Oral health care beliefs on the factor Knowledge about preventing gum diseases (OR = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.1-0.9) than did the others. Regarding beliefs about External locus of control, the age group 31-49 years scored lower on the factor Retaining teeth as one ages (OR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1-0.7), but scored higher on the factor How to prevent dental diseases (OR = 5.6, 95% CI: 1.1-29.3) than did younger nurses (≤30 years). The nurses with only a nursing education showed significantly higher mean scores on the Self-efficacy factor Confidence of the need for dental knowledge than did those with an earlier adjunct education (P = 0.034). The nursing staff mostly believed that oral diseases are preventable and teeth can be retained in advanced age, but failed to recognize the value of dental knowledge and had little confidence in their ability to manage oral diseases. Improving the oral health-related knowledge and self-efficacy beliefs of nursing staff will require additional oral health education.

The Role of Psychosocial Factors in Wellbeing and Self-Care in Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between glycaemic control, locus of control beliefs, diabetes knowledge and wellbeing in young adults with type 1 diabetes. A cross-sectional study of forty-two young adults (16-25 years) with type 1 diabetes recruited from two diabetes clinics in London. Participants completed postal question- naires designed for this specific population. Wellbeing was assessed by the W-B12, locus of control by the ADDLoC and diabetes knowledge by the ADKnowl. HbA1c was employed as a measure of glycaemic control. Results indicated that ex- ternal (health professionals) and internal locus of control beliefs and diabetes knowledge were significantly associated with psychological wellbeing. Patients place high expectations on their practitioners and accordingly, practitioners need to address patients' diabetes knowledge to help them to manage their diabetes effectively and independently. The relationship between internal and external locus of control beliefs, diabetes knowledge and wellbeing indicates the importance of addressing empowerment and self-efficacy in psychoeducation interventions for this client group.

Coronary patients who returned to work had stronger internal locus of control beliefs than those who did not return to work

Return To Work (RTW) is an important indicator of recovery from coronary artery disease (CAD), associated with social and economical benefits, and improved quality of life. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery are effective procedures relieving symptoms and reducing the risk for new events, but psychosocial problems are frequent among these patients. The aim was to determine psychosocial and treatment-related factors associated with RTW among PCI and CABG patients in Northern Norway. Cross-sectional design based on questionnaire data from CABG and PCI patients 3-15 months following discharge, and from hospital records. Of the 348 responding patients, 168 were younger than 67 years and working prior to hospitalization. Factors associated with RTW were examined in a logistic regression analysis. A total of 108 (64%) had RTW within 3-15 months. Four factors made unique significant contributions to the model, including higher education, time since hospital discharge and Internal Locus of Control (LoC) of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC) as positively associated factors, and Powerful Others LoC as a negatively associated factor. Analyses controlled for data on demographics, emergency status, type of treatment, number of days at the hospital, physical exercise, attending a rehabilitation program, mental distress, Type D personality, and for the CABG patients additional data on coronary health. Patients' control beliefs and educational level are significant psychosocial factors associated with RTW following PCI and CABG treatment. Implications for hospital treatment and rehabilitation programs are discussed.

The relationship between indecisiveness and gender role identity(masculinity and feminity) and life orientation (dispositional optimism and pessimism) and the internal locus of control beliefs

The relationship between indecisiveness and gender role identity(masculinity and feminity) and life orientation (dispositional optimism and pessimism) and the internal locus of control beliefs

The Art of Online Teaching: Online Instruction versus In-Class Instruction

ABSTRACT This article examines objective data regarding learning outcomes of students who participated in asynchronous online (web-based) instruction versus in-class (traditional) instruction. Data presented suggests a significant difference in the student's comfort using a computer alone, comfort using the internet and learning outcomes between online and in-class courses. However, no differences were found related to comfort with word processing or Power Point. There were no significant differences found between online and in-class students' internal locus of control beliefs. The authors suggest how these findings can be used to improve students' success; however, these findings should be considered tentative based on the small sample size in the online group (n = 5).

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.

Coping with refractory epilepsy

We investigated the coping behaviour and its correlation with demographic and illness-related data, depression, locus of control and psychosocial adaptation in 40 patients with intractable epilepsy with primarily or secondarily generalized tonic–clonic seizures. Three standardized self-reporting questionnaires were applied, which are the Freiburg Questionnaire of Coping with Illness (FKV), the von Zerssen Depression Scale (D-S), and the IPC-questionnaire measuring generalized locus of control beliefs; the Social Interview Schedule (SIS), a semi-structured interview, was used to measure the psychosocial adaptation. Active, problem-focused and compliance strategies were predominantly used and regarded as most helpful. Hence, the epileptic patients use similar coping patterns reported in patients with other non life-threatening chronic diseases. The level of depression was moderate and in the range of other chronic somatic diseases. The use of coping patterns, which are regarded as maladaptive, was correlated with distinct depression, a small degree of internal locus of control beliefs and poor psychosocial adaption. These results indicate the possibility to improve psychosocial adjustment by supporting effective strategies.

The Relationship Between Aggression in Children and Locus of Control Beliefs

Gender differences are evident in the etiology and maintenance of aggressive behavior (which is on the increase for both male and female youths), but the explanatory models that have been proposed, including social learning theory and information processing models, are more appropriate for boys than for girls. In an attempt to elucidate processes underlying aggression, particularly for girls, the authors explored locus of control as a cognitive variable possibly related to aggressive behavior. The relationships between teacher-reported aggression and 3 types of locus of control (internal, powerful other, and unknown) for success and failure experiences were investigated. For girls, aggressive behavior was positively related to internal and unknown locus of control. In contrast, boys' aggressive behavior was unrelated to internal locus of control beliefs and negatively related to external locus of control beliefs. Possible explanatory mechanisms for the relationship between locus of control beliefs and aggression are discussed. The present study contributes to the understanding of aggression in girls and points to different processes underlying girls' and boys' aggression.

Direct and Buffering Effects of Internal Locus of Control Among Mental Health Professionals

In a study of Pennsylvania clinical social workers and New York State mental health professionals, counselors with internal locus of control beliefs had more favorable scores on a number of work-related variables. For example, internal counselors reported higher job and life satisfaction, less emotional exhaustion (burnout), a neater sense of success in their work, and more favorable attitudes toward clients. For the sample of intensive case managers of severely menially ill clients, a significant and consistent buffering effect of internality was found. Only for workers with external beliefs (on a newly-developed measure of counselor locus of control) did job strain and negative work altitudes result in diminished life satisfaction and intentions to quit one's job. Secondary analyses failed to find conditions for which externality was beneficial or internality dysfunctional. The advantages of internality were consistent and pervasive. Among recommendations discussed is the incorporation of a personal control component in the training and continuing education of counselors.

Economic locus of control beliefs and lay attributions of poverty

Abstract This study investigated the relationship between economic locus of control beliefs and lay attributions of poverty among a sample of 285 adult Australians. A principal components analysis revealed both measures to be multidimensional, which supports earlier work (Feather, 1974; Furnham, 1986; Weiner, 1974). As predicted, results revealed negative individualistic or behavioural explanations of poverty to be associated with internal locus of control beliefs and denial of poverty, while societal or structural explanations of poverty were significantly associated with chance locus of control, and significantly negatively associated with denial of poverty. Some demographic correlates of these explanations were noted and the results are discussed with reference to previous attribution research.

Understanding the stress process: linking social support with locus of control beliefs.

Although researchers generally agree that social support reduces the impact of stress on psychological well-being, little is known about how this stress-buffering effect actually takes place. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that social support operates by bolstering internal locus of control beliefs. Data from a longitudinal study of older adults suggest that the relationship between support and perceived control is nonlinear. Increases in social support tend to increase feelings of control, but only up to a certain threshold. Beyond this point, additional support tends to decrease feelings of personal control. This nonlinear relationship was observed with emotional support and integration (i.e., support provided to others) but not with informational or tangible support.

Enhancing internal locus of control beliefs through group counselling: effects upon children's reading performance.

The effects are examined of a group counselling programme designed to promote internal beliefs upon third grade pupils' reading performance. After a 15-wk. intervention period the counselled group showed significant mean gains in reading age. Nonsignificant findings were reported for the control group.

Chronic strain, locus of control, and distress in older adults.

In this study, I examined whether locus of control beliefs buffer or mediate the impact of chronic financial strain on psychological well-being. Data are from a longitudinal survey of a random community sample of older adults. Findings suggest that elderly people with internal locus of control beliefs are less likely to suffer from the deleterious effects of chronic financial strain than are older adults with external locus of control orientations.

Differential effects of counselling and operant conditioning intervention upon children's locus of reinforcement control beliefs.

The differential effects were examined of counselling and operant conditioning interventions upon locus of control beliefs of 173 pupils in Grade 6, as measured by the abbreviated Children's Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale both before and after an 11-wk. intervention. Whilst both interventions effected significant increases in pupils' internal locus of control beliefs, stronger effects followed counselling.

The Compulsive Adolescent Substance Abuser: Psychological Differentiation and Family Process

This study sought to explore the relationship between psychological differentiation and locus of control among compulsive adolescent substance abusers who are residents of a therapeutic community and their parents. The findings support the conclusion that compulsive adolescent substance abusers are psychologically undifferentiated. These youths are involved in a pseudo-individuated relationship with their mothers who are psychologically and emotionally unavailable while their fathers are peripheral. The findings that these youths become more undifferentiated and hold more internal locus of control beliefs with increasing time in the program are viewed as the effects of residence in a therapeutic community. The residents internalize the therapeutic community belief system of personal responsibility while substituting their dependence on their mothers and drugs for dependence on the therapeutic community. Implications for treatment and further research are also discussed.

The A type behaviour pattern, mental health and health locus of control beliefs

Despite the fact that a considerable amount of research has considered the relationship between A type behaviours and specific aspects of physical health few studies have looked at the relationship between A type behaviours, mental health and health beliefs. This study set out to determine the relationship between type A behaviours, psychological disturbance and various health locus of control beliefs in a heterogeneous population. It was hypothesized that although A type individuals would have higher disturbance scores, they would have higher internal locus of control beliefs across all subscale scores. The results showed that A type individuals had significantly higher mental distress scores than B types, however there was no relationship between health locus of control beliefs and the A type behaviour pattern. The findings are discussed in terms of the coping strategies of the A type individual.