Objective: Literature on participatory health care suggests that, though many patients desire basic information, a substantial number prefer a passive role. This variability is explored as a function of laypersons' beliefs about the nature of medical knowledge, referred to as epistemological beliefs, through the evaluation of a newly-developed…

A study conducted on patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty indicated that participants who were offered preadmission education for their procedure had statistically better outcomes than patients who had not attended an educational class. The study further focused on patients' confidence in their ability to take control of their health…

Examined relationships among specific personality variables, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scales, and criterion-based ratings by staff dentists with dental outpatients (N=101). Found a consistent relationship between the perception that health is maintained by engaging in health-related behaviors and individual difference measures…

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…

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)