Locus of control and patient role adjustment of the elderly in acute-care hospitals.

It was found that patients with external locus of control beliefs were better adjusted in institutions was reexamined in a high-constraint acute-care hospital, and those with stronger internal control beliefs perceived greater constraint.

Abstract

Felton and Kahana's (1974) conclusion that patients with external locus of control beliefs were better adjusted in institutions was reexamined in a high-constraint acute-care hospital. Subjects were 105 patients aged 60-93. The Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) scales were used to measure of locus of control, and eight staff-rating items measured hospital adjustment. Also, the Loss of Independence subscale of the Hospital Stress Rating Scale was used to indicate perceived institutional constraint. The three MHLC scales correlated weakly (p less than .05) with adjustment (Internality, -.24; Externality-Powerful Others, .22; Externality-Chance, -.22), and each contributed significantly in multiple regression (R = .48). Those patients who perceived greater constraint were more poorly adjusted (r = -.24). Those with stronger beliefs that powerful others control health outcomes perceived less constraint in the hospital situation (r = -.19), whereas those with stronger internal control beliefs perceived greater constraint (r = .29). Beliefs in chance were unrelated. Findings are related to concepts of primary and secondary control.