The influence of health locus of control on the patient–provider relationship

Abstract

The physician–patient relationship is important to the successful delivery of health care. Health locus of control (HLOC) of the patient, the extent to which individuals attribute their health to their own actions or to external agents, may affect the patient–provider relationship. This study examined the influences of HIV and HLOC on trust in physician among a population of predominantly minority women and their family members. Powerful others HLOC demonstrated a positive relationship with trust in physician and chance HLOC had a negative relationship with trust in physician. HIV moderated both of these relationships.

Keywords:

• health locus of control
• physician trust
• patient–provider relationship
• HIV

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse grants R01-DA15004 (Daniel Feaster, P.I.) and R01-DA16543 (Victoria Mitrani, P.I.). The University of Miami, General Clinical Center Research Grant M01RR16587 also supported this research.