Background: Internal health locus of control has been associated with positive health outcomes and behaviors. Understanding the mechanisms of this relationship are key to designing and implementing effective health behavior intervention programs. Purpose: The purpose was to examine whether self-efficacy and social support mediate the relationship…

Physical inactivity remains one of the primary cofactors that contribute to overweight and obesity, leading to an increased risk of premature morbidity and mortality. Current data suggest that sedentary behavior begins during adolescence and is maintained through college for most students. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of…

Replicated a recent report of the factorial structure of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, using rehabilitation patients. Analyses failed to validate the previously reported three-dimensional structure, which indicates a need for careful interpretation of this scale when used with certain populations. An alternative factor…

Describes investigation examining relationship of problem-solving appraisal to health complaints and health-related expectancies among undergraduates. Suggests that self-appraised effective problem solvers reported fewer physical symptoms and fewer health problems and had greater internal and lower chance expectancies for health outcomes than…

Examined the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) Scales with alcoholic patients (N=100). The three MHLC Scales appear to measure largely independent dimensions of locus of control beliefs specifically related to health. Factor analyses suggest that the instrument is factorily valid. (Author/JAC)