Multidimensional Assessment of Locus of Control and Obesity

Abstract

Previous research examining locus of control among the obese has been contradictory. Previous research has examined locus of control among the obese using Rotter's I-E test, a unidimensional questionnaire. The present study examined locus of control among 20 obese and 42 average weight research participants using the Reid-Ware three-factor I-E test. The obese group scored more external on the Self-control scale and on the Social System Control scale. The obese were not more external on the Fatalism scale. There were no differences between sexes. The results support the hypothesis that obese persons maintain an external locus of control only in certain, circumscribed attitude areas.

The effects of television food advertisement on children's food purchasing requests

“…Obese children and adolescents are under the risk factor of short and long‐term medical problems such as gallstones, orthepedic abnormalities, asthma, and increased intracranial pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes 2 and adult obesity 12,14,18–22 …”

Health Locus of Control Beliefs in Low Back Pain Patients

“…Earlier studies of pain-free subjects have shown no significant gender differences (e.g. Kerr, 1986;Thomason, 1983), whereas Tait and coworkers (1982) concided that women may be more prone to helplessness when faced with chronic back pain. Our results give further confirmation of this conclusion by correcting the results for age, characteristics of low back pain and psychological distress.…”

Self-esteem, Internal-External Locus of Control, and their relationship to weight reduction

“…These findings are similar to those found by others. Thomason (1983) suggests that obese individuals exhibit externality only in certain and limited endeavors. In other words, in Thomason's opinion externality is not a generalized trait that covers everything an individual does.…”