The Swedish version of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scales, form C. Aspects of reliability and validity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

The objective was to investigate measurement properties of a Swedish version of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scales, form C (MHLC-C). Four hundred and twenty-six people (115 males, 311 females) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), age above 18 years completed the translated MHLC-C, the Arthritis Helplessness Index, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales, and the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire. Pain and global disease activity were also assessed. Factor analysis confirmed the four-factor structure of the original MHLC-C with the proportion of explained variance ranging from a high 2.85 for “Internal” to a low 1.62 for “Other people”. Construct validity was supported by little, if any correlations with other measures (r_p= < 0.01–0.33). Good test–retest stability was indicated for the four sub-scales (ICC 0.63–0.78) and internal consistency was satisfactory (Cronbach's alpha 0.61–0.82). In conclusion, we suggest that the measurement properties of the Swedish MHLC-C are consistent with those of the American original and that it is valid and reliable for use in Swedish patients with RA.

• Chronic disease
• internal–external control
• questionnaire
• reliability