Health locus of control among medical students in a developing country

Abstract

The Multidimensional Health Locus of Control classifies people into three groups: Internal Locus of Control, Chance Locus of Control and Powerful Other Locus of Control. The concept has been tested mostly in a developed world context. To ascertain its applicability to the Lebanese context, a questionnaire was distributed to all medical students at the American University of Beirut during the academic year 2002–3. The questionnaire included questions about demographics, certain risky behaviours, and 12 items about health locus of control. The results suggested the presence of three factors that are indicative of ‘pure internals’, ‘pure chance’ and ‘externals’. While the first factor was associated with gender and self-perceived health, and the second factor was associated with two unhealthy behaviours, the third factor was not associated with any of the demographic or health outcome variables. This research supports previous studies which indicate health locus of control to be a multidimensional construct. Finally, the results are discussed on the basis of Middle Eastern culture and the results of similar research.

Key words:

• health locus of control
• medical students
• risky behaviour