Cultural variation in health locus of control.
OBJECTIVE
To compare health locus of control scores in women from different ethnic backgrounds.


METHODS
One-hundred and twenty-eight caucasian, South Asian and Afro-Caribbean women completed written or orally presented versions of the multidimensional health locus of control scale, as well as ratings of religiousness, health status and occupational status.


RESULTS
South Asian women scored higher on 'chance' and 'powerful others' locus of control as predicted. They also had higher scores on internality. The ethnic differences persisted after controlling for occupation and health status. High religiousness among the South Asians appeared to explain some, but not all, of their higher scores.


CONCLUSIONS
South Asians may differ from British caucasians in relation to their beliefs about internal and external influences on health.
Wrightson
K J
KJ
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, UK.
Wardle
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D044383:Black People; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008131:London; D009790:Occupations; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012067:Religion; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*