Form C of the MHLC scales: a condition-specific measure of locus of control.
Form C of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) scales is an 18 item, general purpose, condition-specific locus of control scale that could easily be adapted for use with any medical or health-related condition. Data from 588 patients with one of four conditions--rheumatoid arthritis, chronic pain, diabetes, or cancer--were utilized to establish the factor structure of Form C and to establish the reliability and validity of the resultant four subscales: Internality; Chance; Doctors; and Other (powerful) People. The alpha reliabilities of the subscales are adequate for research purposes. Data from the arthritis and chronic pain subjects established that the Form C subscales were moderately stable over time and possessed considerable concurrent and construct validity. Some discriminant validity of Form C with Form B of the MHLC was also demonstrated.
Wallston
K A
KA
School of Nursing, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240.
Stein
M J
MJ
Smith
C A
CA
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires