Details:

Alternative Title:
Prev Chronic Dis
Publisher's site:
http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd13.160046
Personal Author:
Nazareth, Meaghan ; Richards, Jordan ; Javalkar, Karina ; Haberman, Cara ; Zhong, Yi ; ... More +
Nazareth, Meaghan ; Richards, Jordan ; Javalkar, Karina ; Haberman, Cara ; Zhong, Yi ; Rak, Eniko ; Jain, Nina ; Ferris, Maria ; van Tilburg, Miranda A.L. Less -
Description:
Introduction

Health locus of control refers to the belief that health is in one’s control (internal control) or is not in one’s control (external control). Among adults, external locus of control is associated with negative health outcomes, whereas internal locus of control is associated with favorable outcomes. Few studies examined these associations among youths. The objective of our study was to determine how locus of control relates to health care use, medication adherence, missed school, and readiness for transition to adult medical care for youths with chronic conditions.

Methods

Participants at a camp for youths aged 6 to 17 years with chronic health conditions completed a survey measuring locus of control, readiness for transition to adult care, and medication adherence. Their parents completed a separate part of the survey about health care use and missed school days in the past year.

Results

A total of 163 youths completed the survey (78.5% white; 52.1% female; mean age, 12.3 y). Internal locus of control (β = 0.196; P = .013) and external Doctor locus of control with doctors controlling disease (β = 0.181; P = .025) were positively associated with transition readiness. External control by chance or with others controlling disease was negatively associated with transition readiness (β = −0.248; P = .002) and positively associated with emergency department visits (β = 0.225; P = .004) and with number of hospital inpatient nights at hospital (β = 0.166; P = .04).

Conclusion

Adolescents with external control of their health by chance or by other people are at increased risk for negative health outcomes and may fail to develop the self-management skills needed for successful transitioning to adult care. Future studies should examine effects of changes in locus of control on health outcomes among youths.


Subject:
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Original Research
Source:
Prev Chronic Dis. 13.
Pubmed ID:
27442993
Pubmed Central ID:
PMC4956478
Document Type:
Journal Article
Collection(s):
Preventing Chronic Disease
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:07c3b67eef0117b0d663188f4d46faa55fbf810a779267c155afe8324d02558b
Download URL:
https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/40767/cdc_40767_DS1.pdf
File Type:

Supporting Files

• PCD-13-E93.nxml

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