Health locus of control and health related risk-behavior an analysis of health locus of control patterns.

Author(s): Harter, M.

Journal/Book: Psychother Psychosom Med Psyc. 1996; 46: P O Box 30 11 20, D-70451 Stuttgart, Germany. Georg Thieme Verlag. 247-253.

Abstract: In this study we related health locus of control beliefs to risk-behavior (little physical exercise, overweight and smoking) in a sample of n = 956 persons, First, we used a correlative method and later we analysed health locus of control patterns. The sample is divided in eight different health locus of control beliefs patterns by the three dimensions (internal, social external and fatalistic external). The hypothesis that some subgroups have a different risk-behavior can't supported. Only the subgroup with high internal and high social external health locus of control showed in tendency lower risk-behavior. Finally we discus different possibilties for the interpretation of the results.

Note: Article J Barth, Univ Freiburg, ABT Rehabil Psychol, Belfortstr 16, D-79085 Freiburg, Germany

Keyword(s): health locus of control; risk-behavior; health

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