Health Locus of Control, Health Related Behaviors and Demographic Factors: A Study in a Turkish Population.
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Date
2014-07-21
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Abstract
Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between sociodemographic
variables and the health locus of control (HLC) as well as health locus of
control and health-related behaviors.
Study Design: Cross-sectional, descriptive.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in 2012 in the fourth largest
city of Turkey. Data collection lasted about six months.
Methodology: Participation in this study was voluntary and data collection was
conducted anonymously. Convenience sampling was used. People on the streets, in
parks, in shopping centers, metro stations, and students at the university campus were
informed about the study and asked to participate. A total of 1125 people were asked
and 885 gave their verbal consent. The participation ratio was 78.7%. The study
participants (437 women and 448 men aged 18-84 years) filled out the Multidimensional
Health Locus of Control (MHLC) scale, together with a questionnaire about their social,
demographic and economic characteristics and a questionnaire regarding their health- related behaviors which was consisted of 10 items.
Results: The Cronbach a of the MHLC scale was within the range 0.74-0.78. Internal
health locus of control was determined in 71.4% of the participants; chance in 10.3% and
powerful others in 18.3%. The rate of powerful others health locus of control (HLC)
increased with age. There were no HLC differences between males and females. No
significant relationship was found between socio-economic characteristics and HLC. Of
the evaluated 10 health related behaviors, physical exercise; reading health related
printed material; checking food expiry dates, and reading food content labels were found
to be significantly related to HLC.
Conclusion: Except for age, no significant associations were found between sociodemographics
and health locus of control. The impact of HLC on health related
behaviors was small.
Description
Keywords
MHLC scales, health locus of control, health related behaviors, Turkey
Citation
Ozcakir Alis, Dogan Fatma Oflu, Bayram Nuran, Bilgel Nazan. Health Locus of Control, Health Related Behaviors and Demographic Factors: A Study in a Turkish Population. British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research. 2014 July; 4(21): 3856-3869.