Kenneth A. Wallston

Development of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) Scales

The development of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scales is described. Scales have been developed to tap beliefs that the source of reinforcements for health-related behaviors is primarily in ternal, a matter of chance, or under the control of powerful others. These scales are based on earlier work with a general Health Locus of Control scale, which, in turn, was developed from Rotters social learn ing theory. Equivalent forms of the scales are presented along with initial internal consistency and validity data. Possible means of utilizing these scales are provided.

Coping with rheumatoid arthritis pain: catastrophizing as a maladaptive strategy

&NA; The present study examined catastrophizing in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Subjects were 223 RA patients who were participants in a longitudinal study. Each patient completed the Catastrophizing scale of the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ) on 2 occasions separated by 6 months (time 1, time 2). The Catastrophizing scale is designed to measure negative self‐statements, castastrophizing thoughts and ideation (sample items = ‘I worry all the time about whether it will end,’ ‘It is awful and I feel that it overwhelms me’). Data analysis revealed that the Catastrophizing scale was internally reliable (alpha = 0.91) and had high test‐retest reliability (r = 0.81) over a 6 month period. Correlational analyses revealed that catastrophizing recorded at time 1 was related to pain intensity ratings, functional impairment on the Arthritis Impact Measurement scale (AIMS), and depression at time 2. Predictive findings regarding catastrophizing while modest were obtained after controlling for initial scores on the dependent variables, demographic variables (age, sex, socioeconomic status), duration of pain, and disability support status. Taken together, these findings suggest that catastrophizing is a maladaptive coping strategy in RA patients. Further research is needed to determine whether cognitive‐behavioral interventions designed to decrease catastrophizing can reduce pain and improve the physical and psychological functioning of RA patients.

Locus of Control and Health: A Review of the Literature

Locus of control, qn individual difference construct from social learning theory, has shown some promise in predicting and explaining specific health-related behaviors. Research is reviewed on the utility of the locus of control construct in understanding smoking reduction, birth control utilization, weight loss, information-seeking, adherence to medication regimens, and other health or sick-role behaviors. Implications for health educators are presented.

Social psychological foundations of health and illness

List of contributors. Preface. 1. Introduction to Social Psychological Foundations of Health and Illness: Jerry Suls (University of Iowa) and Kenneth A. Wallston (Vanderbilt University). Part I: Models of Health/Risk Behavior and Behavior Change:. 2. Healthy Lifestyle across the Life--Span: The Heck with the Surgeon General: Howard Friedman (University of California, Riverside). 3. Exploring the links between risk perceptions and preventive behavior: Neil Weinstein (Cook College). 4. Communicating about Health: Message Framing, Persuasion and Health Behavior: Peter Salovey (Yale University) and Duane Wegener (Purdue University). 5. The Information--Motivation--Behavioral Skills Model: A General Social Psychological Approach to Understanding and Promoting Health Behavior: William A. Fisher (University of Western Ontario), Jeffrey D. Fisher (University of Connecticut), and Jennifer J. Harman (University of Connecticut). 6. A Social Reaction Model of Adolescent Health Risk: Frederick X. Gibbons, Meg Gerrard, and David J. Lane (all Iowa State University). 7. Affect, Thought and Protective Health Behavior: The Case of Worry and Cancer Screening: Kevin McCaul and Amy Boedicker Mullens (both North Dakota State University). 8. Social--Cognitive Factors in Health Behavior Change: Britta Renner (Ernst--Moritz--Arndt--Universitaet Greifswald) and Ralf Schwarzer (Free University of Berlin). Part II: Social--Cognitive Processes in Health:. 9. Common Sense Models of Illness: Implications for Symptom Perception and Health--Related Behaviors: Rene Martin (University of Iowa), Nan Rothrock (University of Iowa), Howard Leventhal (Rutgers University), and Elaine Leventhal (University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey). 10. Contributions of Social Comparison to Physical Illness and Well--Being: Jerry Suls (University of Iowa). 11. Interpersonal Emotional Processes in Adjustment to Chronic Illness: Robert F. DeVellis, Megan A. Lewis, and Katherine Regan Sterba (all University of North Carolina). 12. The Social, Linguistic and Health Consequences of Emotional Disorder: James Pennebaker (University of Texas at Austin). 13. Affiliation, Social Support and Biobehavioral Responses to Health: Shelley Taylor (University of California, Los Angeles), Laura Cousino Klein (Pennsylvania State University), Tara L. Gruenewald (University of California, Los Angeles), Regan A.R. Gurung (University of Wisconsin), and Sara Fernandes--Taylor (University of California, Los Angeles). Part III: Personality and Health:. 14. Toward a Social Psychophysiology of Cardiovascular Reactivity: Interpersonal Concepts and Methods in the Study of Stress and Coronary Disease: Timothy Smith (University of Utah), Linda Gallo (San Diego State University), and John Ruiz (University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine). 15. Gender--Related Traits and Health: Vicki Helgeson (Carnegie Mellon University). 16. Self--Regulatory Processes and Responses to Health Threats: Effects of Optimism on Well--Being: Michael Scheier (Carnegie Mellon University) and Charles Carver (University of Miami). Part IV: Adaptation to Stress and Chronic Illness:. 17. The Influence of Psychological Factors on Restorative Function in Health and Illness: Ashley W. Smith and Andrew Baum (both University of Pittsburgh). 18. Coping and Adjustment in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Craig A. Smith, Kenneth A. Wallston, and Kathleen A. Dwyer (all Vanderbilt University). 19. Daily Processes in Health and Illness: Howard Tennen (University of Connecticut Health Center), Glenn Affleck (University of Connecticut Health Center), and Stephen Armelli (Pace University). 20. Scenes from a Marriage: The Coupling of Support, Coping and Gender within the Context of Chronic Illness: Tracey A. Revenson (City University of New York Graduate Center). Index.

Hocus-pocus, the focus isn't strictly on locus: Rotter's social learning theory modified for health

This paper shows how the authors original modification of Rotters social learning theory (SLT) highlighting the construct of health locus of control beliefs is no longer adequate. It develops a new modification of SLT where the internal health locus of control beliefs moderate but do not mediate health-promoting behavior. It discusses the development and utility of global indicators of perceived control over health in preference to a strict focus on the locus of the control.

The Validity of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scales

This introductory article addresses the question,‘Are the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) scales valid?’ The initial evidence for the validity of the family of MHLC scales is reviewed, followed by a discussion of the empirical evidence for the hypothesis linking MHLC scale scores to measures of health behavior. There is ample evidence in the literature that the MHLC scales validly assess health locus of control beliefs. Nevertheless, caution should be used when making generalizations regarding the validity of the MHLC scales to new theoretical or situational contexts. The theoretical relationships between these beliefs and other constructs are complex, making it necessary to thoughtfully consider the valid application of the MHLC scales in each new study.

The Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Brief Resilient Coping Scale

This article introduces the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS), a 4-item measure designed to capture tendencies to cope with stress in a highly adaptive manner. Two samples of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (ns = 90 and 140) provide evidence for the reliability and validity of the BRCS. The BRCS has adequate internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Convergent validity of the scale is demonstrated by predictable correlations with measures of personal coping resources (e.g., optimism, helplessness, self-efficacy), pain coping behaviors, and psychological well-being. Resilient coping, as assessed by the BRCS, also buff-ers the effects of high levels of arthritis-related and non-arthritis-related stressors on depressive symptoms. The sensitivity of the BRCS to changes associated with a cognitive-behavioral intervention is also demonstrated. The BCRS may be useful for identifying individuals in need of interventions designed to enhance resilient coping skills.

Perceived control and health

Perceived control (PC) is defined as thebelief that one can determine one’s own internal states and behavior, influence one’s environment, and/or bring about desired outcomes. Two important dimensions of PC are delineated: (1) whether the object of control is located in the past or the future and (2) whether the object of control is over outcome, behavior, or process. A variety of constructs and measures of PC (e.g., efficacy, attribution, and locus of control) are discussed in relation to these dimensions and selected studies are reviewed. The issues, controversies, and limits of the research on perceived control and health are addressed in terms of the antecedents and consequences of perceived control. Investigations should clearly conceptualize the object of perceived control, use measures that match the conceptualization, and when attempting to manipulate control, directly measure perceived control. The relation between PC and health outcomes is complex, and different aspects of PC may interact to affect health outcomes.

Pain coping strategies and depression in rheumatoid arthritis.

: A study was conducted to examine the role of pain episodes and the role of active and passive pain coping strategies in predicting depression in 287 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The independent effects of pain and pain coping strategies, as well as the interaction effects between pain and pain coping strategies on depression, were evaluated cross-sectionally and prospectively over a 6-month interval. The cross-sectional findings revealed that pain, passive coping, and the interaction between pain and passive coping contributed independent variance, all accounting for higher depression. Of principal interest was the finding that the frequent use of passive pain coping strategies in the face of high pain contributed to the most severe level of depression over time. These results were obtained after controlling for the potentially confounding effects of prior depression, functional disability, and medication status. These data imply that there may be a potential benefit of developing techniques to reduce the use of passive pain coping strategies to deal with chronic arthritis pain in cognitive-behavioral pain management programs.

Health-Related Information Seeking as a Function of Health-Related Locus of Control and Health Value.

Abstract Two studies were conducted testing the hypothesis that health-related information seeking is a joint function of a persons locus of control beliefs and the value placed on health. Using a health-related measure of locus of control, internal subjects who valued health highly relative to other terminal values (cf. Rokeach, 1973 ) chose more pamphlets about the particular health condition, hypertension, than did internal-low health value subjects or externals regardless of their health value. Little evidence was found to support the proposition that subject differentially chose pamphlets according to author characieristics (i.e., male or female, doctors or nurses).