Self-efficacy, health locus of control, and psychological distress in elderly Chinese women with chronic illnesses

Abstract

This study examined the associations among self-efficacy, health locus of control, and psychological distress in 159 elderly Chinese women who had chronic physical illnesses. The present findings did not support the dual health control hypothesis that specifies the balance between internal and external health control beliefs is related to a low level of psychological distress. Correlation results showed that internal health locus of control was linked to general self-efficacy. Results from hierarchical regression analysis indicated that health control beliefs did not interact with general self-efficacy; instead, these two variables each exerted their main effects on participants’ negative mental health status. It was found that psychological distress was best predicted by a low level of general self-efficacy as well as a high level of external health locus of control. Internal health control beliefs did not contribute to the prediction of distress. Implications and limitations of this study were also discussed.