title: The Ability of Recovery Locus of Control Scale (RLOC) and Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms (PTSS) to Predict the Physical Functioning of Stroke Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to address the ability of the recovery locus of control scale (RLOC) and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) to predict physical functioning among stroke patients. In addition, the best predictors within the subdomains of the RLOC and PTSS were also investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 147 stroke patients aged 33-85 years who had intact cognitive functioning were involved in the study. The Recovery Locus of Control Scale (RLOC), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the Barthel Index (ADL) were administered to respondents six weeks after stroke.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that the RLOC and PTSS were significant predictors and were capable of predicting 31% of the physical functioning of stroke patients (adjusted R2= 0.31;P <0.001). Furthermore, with respect to clinical factors, the affected lesion side contributed to predicting 7% of the physical functioning (R2= 0.07;P <0.001). A hierarchical regression analysis found that the internal recovery locus of control (IRLOC) was a predictor capable of explaining 18% of the predicted physical functioning (adjusted R2= 0.18;P <0.001). Meanwhile, avoidance was the most influential significant predictor among PTSS, contributing to 24% of the predicting physical functioning (adjusted R2= 0.24;P <0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, the RLOC and PTSS were capable of predicting physical functioning among stroke patients.
authors.affiliation: Health Psychology Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Center for Neuroscience Services & Research (P3Neuro), Health Campus, University of Science Malaysia (USM), 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Mohd Faizal
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Mohd Zulkifly
authors.affiliation: Health Psychology Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Shazli Ezzat
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Ghazali
authors.affiliation: Health Psychology Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Normah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Che Din
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Human Development, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Asmawati
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Desa
authors.affiliation: UKM Medical Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Azman Ali
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Raymond
keywords: disability; locus of control; physical activity; post-traumatic stress disorders; stroke