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Health Locus of Control I

Locus of control is an important component of individual wellness. This activity will assist you in identifying your locus of control and its ability to affect your health. This rating scale is an adaptation of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scales. The test is composed of three subscales:

  1. The Internal Health Locus of Control Scale (I) measures whether you feel that you have control over your own health.
  2. The Powerful Others Health Locus of Control Scale (P) measures whether you feel that powerful individuals, such as physicians or other health professionals, control your health.
  3. The Chance Health Locus of Control Scale (C) measures whether you feel your health is due to luck, fate, or chance.

Directions: For each answer, choose a number from 1 to 5 that best describes your feelings.

5 = Strongly agree
4 = Agree 3 = Neither agree nor disagree
2 = Disagree
1 = Strongly disagree
Subscale 1: Internal Health Locus of Control
_____ If I get sick, my behavior determines how soon I get well.
_____ I am in control of my health.
_____ When I get sick, I am to blame.
_____ If I take care of myself, I can avoid illness.
_____ If I take the right actions, I can stay healthy.
_____ Total
Subscale 2: Powerful Others Health Locus of Control
_____ Having regular contact with my physician is the best way for me to avoid illness.
_____ Whenever I don't feel well, I should consult a medically trained professional.
_____ My family has a lot to do with my becoming sick or staying healthy.
_____ Health professionals control my health.
_____ When I recover from an illness, it's usually because other people such as doctors, nurses, family, and friends, have been taking good care of me.
_____ Regarding my health, I can only do what my doctor tells me to do.
_____ Total
Subscale 3: Chance Health Locus of Control
_____ No matter what I do, if I am going to get sick, I will get sick.
_____ Most things that affect my health happen to me accidentally.
_____ Luck plays a big part in determining how soon I will recover from an illness.
_____ My good health is largely a matter of good fortune.
_____ No matter what I do, I am likely to get sick.
_____ If it is meant to be, I will stay healthy.
_____ Total

To obtain your score for a subscale, add the numbers you chose.

A score of 23 to 30 on any subscale means you have a strong inclination toward that particular subscale. For example, a high C score indicates you hold strong beliefs that your health is a matter of chance.

A score of 15 to 22 means you are moderate on that particular subscale. For example, a moderate P score indicates you have moderate belief that your health is due to powerful others.

A score of 6 to 14 means you are low on that particular subscale. For example, a low 1 score means you generally do not believe that you control your own health.


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