ABSTRACT
Drawing on data gathered in the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States, this study examined internal and external locus of control, self-esteem, neuroticism, perceived health status, uniqueness, and somatic amplification as correlates of dietary supplement use. With sex, race, and age measures also included in the study, bivariate analyses showed greater supplement use among women and older respondents as well as those scoring higher on internal locus of control, self-esteem, perceived health status, and somatic amplification. Regression analyses identified sex and internal locus of control as the strongest predictors. Interactions between age and external locus of control also emerged.
Notes
1 Scientific research has offered limited evidence of supplement efficacy (see, for recent discussion, Stickel and Shouval Citation2015), but some studies have identified potential health benefits in certain products (see Fugh-Berman and Cott Citation1999; Troppman, Gray-Donald, and Johns Citation2002; Wang et al. Citation2008; Zandi et al. Citation2004). Daily multivitamins and fish-oil extracts are among the most popular substances used by individuals seeking to supplement their diets and maintain or improve their health. Recent studies have questioned the capacity of supplements to affect the health of consumers (see Bjelakovic, Nikolova, and Gluud Citation2013; Fortmann et al. Citation2013; Grodstein et al. Citation2013; Lamas et al. Citation2013; Martinez et al. Citation2012; Miller et al. Citation2010, Citation2005). Studies have also found an absence of active ingredients in certain products (Sarma, Giancaspro, and Venema Citation2016; Newmaster et al. Citation2013; Wheatley and Spink Citation2013).
2 The study uses citations provided by the MIDUS 3 authors (Ryff et al. Citation2013–2014).
3 An acceptable index for external locus of control was not available in MIDUS 3.
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