Health locus of control and depression in end-stage renal disease.

Abstract

Research on the association between health locus of control and depression in chronic illness has produced contradictory findings, perhaps because of a failure to consider contextual variables. In this study of 96 hemodialysis patients, the belief that one's health is controllable was associated with less depression among Ss who had not previously experienced a failed renal transplant. This belief was associated with greater depression for Ss who had returned to dialysis following an unsuccessful transplant. This interactive effect occurred among severely ill Ss, but health locus of control was unrelated to depression among Ss with less severe disease. This pattern occurred both when control perceptions reflected a belief in the Ss' own or powerful others' (i.e., health care providers) ability to influence health outcomes. Results underscore the adaptive value of congruence between control beliefs and objective circumstances in chronic illness.

How optimism contributes to the adaptation of chronic illness. A prospective study into the enduring effects of optimism on adaptation moderated by the controllability of chronic illness

“…In accordance, several studies found that control beliefs (or efficacy expectancies) lead to more distress when patients are confronted with uncontrollable disease (e.g. Christensen, Turner, Smith, Holman, & Gregory, 1991;Eitel et al, 1995), since under these circumstances control over disease becomes a burden (Brownell, 1991).…”

Diabetic patients treated with dialysis: complications and quality of life

“…This questionnaire provides an assessment of beliefs about control over health, and has been used in studies concerning compliance and adherence [21,25,36]. The instrument comprises 18 items rated on a six point Likerttype scale ranging from 'strongly disagree' to 'strongly agree', with four subscale scores: 'internal', 'chance', 'doctors' and 'powerful others'.…”

Is Optimism Sensitive to the Stressors of Chronic Disease? The Impact of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Multiple Sclerosis on Optimistic Beliefs

“…As such, the revised version of the MHLC does not measure a dispositional orientation toward control regarding health outcomes, but perceived control of specific diseaserelated events. Versions of the MHLC for chronically ill patients, revised in a similar way, have proven to be valid in patient populations (Christensen et al, 1991;Van Lankveld, 1993). Patients responded on a 6-point Likert scale ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (6).…”