title: Multidimensional control beliefs, socioeconomic status, and health.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the role of control beliefs in the relationship between SES and health.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two different aspects of perceived control - contingency beliefs (locus of control) and competence beliefs (self-efficacy) - were examined in relation  to subjective SES and physical health outcomes (subjective health, functional impairment, chronic health problems, and acute health symptoms) in a diverse sample of undergraduates (N=231).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Low self-efficacy was directly associated with poorer health outcomes and mediated the  relationship between low SES and health, whereas locus of control did not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health behavior interventions targeting generalized competence beliefs may benefit individuals from low SES backgrounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health Center, West Hartford, CT, USA. cgreene@uchc.edu
authors.forename: Carolyn A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.forename: Karla Klein
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Murdock
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D012044:Regression Analysis; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012923:Social Class; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult