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Health Locus of Control and its Assessment in Older American Indians.

PB2003100233

Publication Date	1997
Personal Author	Montague, R. B.; Manson, S. M.
Page Count	32
Abstract	We examined the validity, operation, and measurement of the health locus of control (HLC) construct in a clinical sample of 244 reservation-dwelling older American Indians from differing tribes. Responses to the 3-scale Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC: Internal HLC, Powerful Others HLC, Chance HLC) indicated the validity of the construct in this sample. Respondents strongly believed health outcomes result primarily from factors under their personal control, thus challenging the common assumption of an external HLC in minority groups, and particularly in tribal communities. As in non-Indian samples, person reporting poorer health attributed health outcomes more to chance or fate than did those recounting better health, and the strength of an internal locus of control varied directly with education. Principal components analysis yielded a 4-factor solution that mirrored the 3 MHLC dimensions and added a fourth, named Relinquished Control that may reflect respondents' age and health. Overall study results did not vary by gender or within-sample age level. We recommend the cautious use and interpretation of the 3-scale MHLC for older American Indians and urge further research using the new 4-scale form across multiple age groups in this population.
Keywords	Health outcomes American Indians Elderly persons Attitudes Locus Control Chronic illnesses Aging Minority groups Psychrometrics Population Health locus of control(HLC)
Source Agency	Administration on Aging Office of the Secretary
Corporate Authors	Colorado Univ. Health Sciences Center, Denver.; Administration on Aging, Washington, DC.
Supplemental Notes	See also PB2003-100234. Sponsored by Administration on Aging, Washington, DC.
Document Type	Technical Report
NTIS Issue Number	200303

Health Locus of Control and its Assessment in Older American Indians.

Health Locus of Control and its Assessment in Older American Indians.
PB2003100233

Publication Date	1997
Personal Author	Montague, R. B.; Manson, S. M.
Page Count	32
Abstract	We examined the validity, operation, and measurement of the health locus of control (HLC) construct in a clinical sample of 244 reservation-dwelling older American Indians from differing tribes. Responses to the 3-scale Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC: Internal HLC, Powerful Others HLC, Chance HLC) indicated the validity of the construct in this sample. Respondents strongly believed health outcomes result primarily from factors under their personal control, thus challenging the common assumption of an external HLC in minority groups, and particularly in tribal communities. As in non-Indian samples, person reporting poorer health attributed health outcomes more to chance or fate than did those recounting better health, and the strength of an internal locus of control varied directly with education. Principal components analysis yielded a 4-factor solution that mirrored the 3 MHLC dimensions and added a fourth, named Relinquished Control that may reflect respondents' age and health. Overall study results did not vary by gender or within-sample age level. We recommend the cautious use and interpretation of the 3-scale MHLC for older American Indians and urge further research using the new 4-scale form across multiple age groups in this population.
Keywords	Health outcomes American Indians Elderly persons Attitudes Locus Control Chronic illnesses Aging Minority groups Psychrometrics Population Health locus of control(HLC)
Source Agency	Administration on Aging Office of the Secretary
Corporate Authors	Colorado Univ. Health Sciences Center, Denver.; Administration on Aging, Washington, DC.
Supplemental Notes	See also PB2003-100234. Sponsored by Administration on Aging, Washington, DC.
Document Type	Technical Report
NTIS Issue Number	200303