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

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-17
Author(s):  
Alina Deluga ◽  
Paulina Bogdańska ◽  
Beata Dobrowolska ◽  
Barbara Ślusarska ◽  
Agnieszka Bartoszek ◽  
...  

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.

2021 ◽  
Vol 93 (SUPLEMENT) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Justyna Darnikowska ◽  
Bartłomiej Jędrzejczak ◽  
Adam Dziki ◽  
Michał Mik

<b>Introduction:</b> An important factor determining health-oriented behavior is the health locus of control (HLC). Patients with cancer differ in health practices and perception of the disease. <br/><b>Aim:</b> Assessment of the influence of demographic factors and somatic symptoms of the disease on HLC in patients treated for colorectal cancer. <br/><b>Materials and methods:</b> The study included 160 people divided into patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and healthy people. The Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale was used in the adaptation of Z. Juczyński. The scale includes three dimensions of health perception, which depends on internal control, impact of others and random. <br/><b> Results:</b> The study group consisted of 80 patients with CRC (51.2% women), and the control group 80 healthy people (57.7% women). In our analysis, we found that people with CRC were significantly more dependent on their own health control on the influence of external factors, such as doctors and nurses, than healthy people (27.11±5.43 vs. 19.64±7.77; p=<0.001). Similarly, patients with CRC significantly more than healthy people considered random as a dimension responsible for HLC (23.05±5.95 vs 20.36±7.45; p=0.012). Men with CRC more than women conditioned HLC on random influence (24.21±5.94 vs. 21.95±5.91; p=0.044). People with secondary and higher education made the HLC more dependent on internal control (26.98±5.98 vs. 23.14±5.74; p=0.041). <br/><b>Conclusions:</b> Patients with CRC made their sense of health control dependent on external dimensions: influence of others and random. Men with CRC were more likely to condition their health control on random events than women. Secondary and higher education guaranteed greater autonomy in undertaking health behaviors.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 931-940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joni M Boyd ◽  
Sara Wilcox

For many people, the influence of believing in a higher power can elicit powerful effects. This study examined the relationship between God control, health locus of control, and frequency of religious attendance within 838 college students through online surveys. Regression analysis showed that chance and external locus of control and frequency of religious attendance were significant and positive predictors of God Locus of Health Control. The association of powerful others external locus of control and God Locus of Health Control differed by race (stronger in non-Whites than Whites) and somewhat by gender (stronger in women than men). For some people, the role of a supreme being, or God, should be considered when designing programs for improving health behaviors.


2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
R.W. Wojciak ◽  
E. Mojs ◽  
L. Cierpialkowska

The Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC) designed by Wallston, Wallston, and DeVellis (1978) belongs to the most popular tests, assessing the health locus of control in respondents on three levels: internal, external, and accidental. The MHLC is used in health promotion programs, in prophylaxis effect. According to authors, the background of this conception is the conviction that internal locus of health control favours pro-health behaviour like taking physical activity, reduce smoking and alcohol drinking, weights control, HIV protection etc. In this preliminary study we would like to exam the health locus of control in anorexia women.The MHLC was curry out in 15 anorectic women (diagnosed by EAT-26) and 39 non-anorectic women, aged 21,7 ± 1,0 years. The results were analysed with the use the Chi-square test.We found the statistically significance differences between anorectic and non-anorectic women in the health locus of control (p< 0,001; Chi=13,24). However, the most of subjects (non-anorectic vs. anorectic, respectively 69% vs. 60%) located the health control inside, more anorectic felt that control on their health depend on the accidence than non-anorectic (respectively, 20% vs. 5%).The results of this preliminary study could suggest that the health locus of control may play the important role in initiate the anorexia behaviour in women.


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 26-32
Author(s):  
Anna B. Pilewska-Kozak ◽  
Beata B. Dobrowolska ◽  
Anna Majewska ◽  
Grażyna Stadnicka ◽  
Agnieszka K. Pawłowska-Muc ◽  
...  

AbstractAim. The study was to assess the level of stress and the health locus of control in parents of hospitalized newborns.Material and methods. The study covered a group of 150 parents of 126 newborns who were hospitalized in the Neonatal Pathology Ward at the University Children’s Hospital in Lublin. The diagnostic survey method was applied with the use of an original questionnaire as well as some standardized tools: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC – version B).Results. In more than a half of the subjects (54.0%), a high level of stress was observed. Every fourth (26.1%) parent was characterized by an average level of stress and nearly every fifth (19.3%) by a low level of stress. The highest indicator was characterized by the domain of the internal health control locus. Every fifth parent represented an undifferentiated type - weak or magnifying the impact of others (22.0% and 20.0% respectively). The smallest group of parents (5.3%) belonged to the externally-oriented, strong type. Conclusions. The parents of hospitalized newborns are characterized mainly by high and average levels of stress and low level of severity of health control location within each of its domains. The highest indicator of internal locus control and the influence of others are characterized by parents with low and average levels of stress. The dominant type of locus of health control that characterizes parents is the undifferentiated type – weak and magnifying the impact of others.


Psichologija ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 84-95
Author(s):  
Jurgita Dirsienė ◽  
Loreta Zajančkauskaitė-Staskevičienė

Su sveikata susijusį elgesį lemia tai, kaip asmuo pats paaiškina savo ligą. Priklausomybės nuo alkoholio suvokimo ir pripažinimo dėsningumų analizė leistų parinkti efektyvesnes profilaktikos ir psichologinės korekcijos priemones. Šio tyrimo tikslas buvo išanalizuoti priklausomų nuo alkoholio asmenų savo ligos suvokimo ir sveikatos kontrolės lokuso ypatumus bei sąsajas. Buvo tirta 70 priklausomybės ligų centre, detoksikacijos skyriuje besigydančių priklausomų nuo alkoholio asmenų. Taikytos metodikos: trumpasis ligos suvokimo klausimynas (Brief IPQ; Broadbent et al., 2006), Daugiamatė sveikatos kontrolės lokuso skalė (Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale; Wallston et al., 1978). Tyrimo metu nustatyta, kad turintiems partnerį kitų poveikio sveikatos kontrolės lokusas yra labiau išreikštas, nei neturintiems partnerio tiriamiesiems. Be to, nustatyta, kad kuo labiau išreikštas kitų poveikio sveikatos kontrolės lokusas, tuo suvokiama trumpesnė priklausomybės nuo alkoholio trukmė. Tyrimas parodė, kad kuo ilgesnė priklausomybės nuo alkoholio trukmė, tuo labiau tiriamieji pripažįsta savo ligą ir tiki, kad ji truks ilgiau, o ilgiausio abstinencijos laikotarpio trukmė teigiamai susijusi su ligos pripažinimu, ilgesnės jos trukmės ir neigiamų padarinių suvokimu. Vyrams sveikatos kontrolės lokusas yra susijęs su ligos suvokimu. Tyrimas parodė, kad priklausomiems nuo alkoholio asmenims labiau išreikštas vidinis sveikatos kontrolės lokusas, palyginti su atsitiktinumų ir kitų poveikio sveikatos kontrolės lokusu, o pripažinti, kad alkoholio vartojimas yra liga, tiriamuosius verčia neigiami alkoholio vartojimo padariniai, bet ne patiriamų simptomų stiprumas.Pagrindiniai žodžiai: priklausomi nuo alkoholio asmenys, ligos suvokimas, sveikatos kontrolės lokusas.Pecularities of illness perception and health locus of control of alcohol addictsJurgita Dirsienė, Loreta Zajančkauskaitė-Staskevičienė SummaryLeventhal’s common sense model is a popular model for studying responses to health threats. The central prediction of the model is that coping responses are determined by an interrelated set of beliefs known as illness perceptions, which appear to be directly related to patient’s receptivity to the treatment and outcomes of the illness. The examination of how individuals perceive alcohol addiction may be important in prevention and may help health-care professionals individualize treatment strategies, thereby improving illness outcomes.The goal of the research was to determine the pecularities of and correlations between illness perception and health locus of control of alcohol-addicted people.The object and methods of research: 70 individuals with the diagnosis of alcohol addiction, currently going through alcohol detoxification in an addiction centre (49 men and 21 women). They completed the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (Broadbent et al., 2006) and Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC; Wallston et al., 1978).Results of the study: Illness perception and health locus of control was not related to age, sex and education. The research showed that the participants who had a spouse had a more powerful others’ health control orientation than those who hadn’t (U = 419.5; p < 0.05). The research showed a statistically significant correlation between powerful others’ health control orientation and a shorter addiction duration (r = –0.249; p < 0.05). The longer addiction duration was positively related to the illness recognition (r = 0.481; p < 0.001) and the perception of a longer illness duration (r = 0.353; p < 0.05). The longest abstinence period was positively related to a better illness recognition (r = 0.270; p < 0.05) and the perception of a longer illness duration (r = 0.457; p < 0.05) and more severe illness consequences (r = 0.323; p < 0.05).Statistical analysis showed a lot of statistically significant correlations betveen illness perception dimensions: more negative consequences and a stronger illness identity were related to more concern about the illness and more negative emotions. The perception of illness coherence and a shorter duration of the illness was related to a better perceived personal control over the illnesss. The stronger concern about the illness was related to a better treatment control perception. The better illness recognition was related to the perception of longer illness duration, less personal control over the illness and more concern about the illness. The strength of the symptoms was positively related to a better illness coherence perception.The research showed a significant correlation between illness perception and health locus of control only for men: the internal health locus of control was related to the perception of a shorter illness duration (r = –0.402; p < 0.01) and less concern about the illness (r = –0.285; p < 0.05). The powerful others’ health control orientation was related to the perception of better treatment (r = 0.341; p < = 0,05) and personal control (r = 0.332; p < 0.05), more severe symptoms of illness (r = 0.032; p < 0.05), more concern (r = 0.404; p < 0.01) and negative emotions (r = 0.310; p < 0.05). Statistical analysis showed that alcoholics had an internal health control orientation. Illness recognition was associated with negative alcohol-related consequences, but not with the strength of symptoms. The implications and limitations of the findings, the implications for practice and research are discussed. Key words: alcohol-dependent individuals, illness perception, health locus of control.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 163
Author(s):  
Gusti Ayu Ary Antari

Pasien gagal ginjal terminal yang menjalani hemodialisis rutin harus melakukan berbagai manajemen penyakit termasuk hemodialisis jangka panjang. Keyakinan (belief) diketahui dapat mengendalikan kesehatan pasien. Health locus of control menjadi sebuah konsep mengenai keyakinan yang dimiliki oleh pasien terkait kendali dalam status kesehatannya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui gambaran health locus of control pasien yang menjalani hemodialisis. Desain penelitian ini adalah cross-sectional. Sebanyak 100 pasien hemodialisis yang telah mengisi multidimensional health locus of control scale dilibatkan dalam penelitian ini. Pengambilan data dilakukan di Ruang Hemodialisis RSD Mangusada dan RSUD Wangaya selama Bulan Juli-Agustus 2019. Hasil penelitian menujukkan bahwa  rata-rata skor internal health locus of control lebih tinggi daripada chance maupun powerful others yaitu berturut-turut 29,35; 22,45; dan 27,95. Temuan ini mengindikasikan bahwa responden cenderung memiliki keyakinan akan diri sendiri (internal) yang lebih memiliki kendali atas kondisi kesehatannya dibandingkan orang lain, dokter maupun chance. Hasil tersebut berperan sebagai informasi penting mengenai health control belief yang dimiliki oleh pasien hemodialisis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vojtech Pisl ◽  
Jan Volavka ◽  
Edita Chvojkova ◽  
Katerina Cechova ◽  
Gabriela Kavalirova ◽  
...  

Understanding the predictors of the willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19 may aid in the resolution of current and future pandemics. We investigate how the readiness to believe conspiracy theories and the three dimensions of health locus of control (HLOC) affect the attitude toward vaccination. A cross-sectional study was conducted based on the data from an online survey of a sample of Czech university students (n = 866) collected in January 2021, using the multivariate linear regression models and moderation analysis. The results found that 60% of Czech students wanted to get vaccinated against COVID-19. In addition, 40% of the variance of willingness to get vaccinated was explained by the belief in the COVID-19-related conspiracy theories and the powerful others dimension of HLOC. One-sixth of the variance of the willingness to get vaccinated was explained by HLOC, cognitive reflection, and digital health literacy [eHealth Literacy Scale (EHEALS)]. HLOC and conspiracy mentality (CM) and its predictors are valid predictors of a hesitancy to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The campaigns promoting vaccination should target the groups specifically vulnerable to the conspiracy theories and lacking HLOC related to powerful others.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shadi Harifi ◽  
Seyed Ahmad Seyed Alinagi ◽  
Mostafa Qorbani ◽  
zohreh mahmoodi

Abstract Background: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/AIDS is a new social phenomenon that affects almost all the aspects of the social and economic life of individuals. The present study was conducted for the path analysis of the relationship between social roles and psychosocial adjustment in women with AIDS. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 on 240 women with AIDS who referred to the Counseling Center for Behavioral Diseases of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran. The eligible individuals entered the study through convenience sampling and data were collected using five questionnaires, including the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scales, the Illness Perception Questionnaire, the Experiences in Close Relationship Scale and a socio-demographic checklist. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 and Lisrel-8.8 software. Results: According to the results of the path analysis, internal health locus of control and patient's age have a significant positive relationship with psychosocial adjustment only through the direct path, and among them, patient's age has the greatest positive and direct relationship (B=0.139).In the indirect path, education, external health locus of control, anxiety in experiences of close relationships, and perceived support have the greatest relationship with psychosocial adjustment, and among these variables, education has the highest positive relationship (B=0.06).Illness perception, avoidance in experiences of close relationships and chance locus of health control are associated with psychosocial adjustment through both direct and direct paths, and among these variables, chance locus of health control has the greatest overall relationship with psychosocial adjustment (B=0.238).Conclusion: Based on the results, social roles and physical health are directly/indirectly associated with psychosocial adjustment, which emphasizes the need to pay more attention to all three aspects of psychosocial health, especially in this vulnerable group of the society


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