title: African Americans with cancer: the relationships among self-esteem, locus of control, and health perception.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to describe and examine the relationships among self-esteem, locus of control, and perceived health status in African Americans with cancer and to identify predictors of perceived health status. A convenience sample of 95 oncology outpatients at two large medical facilities completed the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, and the Cantril Ladder, a measurement of perceived health. In an audiotaped interview two open-ended questions were used to clarify participants' Cantril Ladder scores. A significant positive relationship was discovered between self-esteem and powerful others health locus of control (p <.05). Participants tended to view God as the Powerful Other capable of influencing their health and well-being. Self-esteem and an internal health locus of control were found to account for 23% of the perceived variance in health status. In addition, interview data indicated that participants with normal to high levels of self-esteem and an internal health locus of control perceived their state of health and well-being positively.
authors.affiliation: Community Health, University of Massachusetts, School of Nursing, 217 Arnold House, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
authors.forename: Jean E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Swinney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008145:Louisiana; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D013781:Texas