Relationship between panic attacks and health locus of control.
BACKGROUND
Health locus of control has significant implications for treatment response, compliance, patient education, and health maintenance. Because of the association between locus of control and anxiety, this study was conducted to determine the health locus of control (HLOC) in patients with panic attacks, changes in HLOC through treatment of panic attacks, and the relationship between HLOC and phobic avoidance.


METHODS
The HLOC and panic screening questionnaires were administered to 50 patients complaining of a panic-related symptom or condition known to be associated with panic, and to 119 randomly selected patients. Nineteen patients with panic attacks were later reevaluated to determine if there had been a change in locus of control.


RESULTS
Stepwise multiple regression demonstrated that panic attacks, educational level, and being divorced significantly predicted HLOC (F = 5.66, P less than or equal to .0001). An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed that resolution of panic attacks was associated with a greater decrease in the HLOC score (F = 4.68, P less than or equal to .05). Phobic avoidance was also associated with greater levels of externality (r = .48, P less than or equal to .05) and correlated with HLOC in response to treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests there is a significant relationship between HLOC and panic attacks, and between HLOC and phobic avoidance. Panic resolution is associated with a decrease in externality. Measurement of HLOC may be helpful in assessing the treatment response of patients who have panic attacks.
Katerndahl
D A
DA
Department of Family Practice, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7795.
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D010200:Panic; D011897:Random Allocation; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires