Who has control of your wellness?

Health Locus of Control

Locus of Control is an important component of individual wellness. This activity will assist you in identifying your locus of control and its ability to affect your health. This rating scale is an adaptation of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scales. The test is composed of three subscales:

1. The Internal Health Locus of Control Scale (I) measures whether you feel that you have control over your own health.
   
2. The Powerful Others Health Locus of Control Scale (P) measures whether you feel that powerful individuals, such as physicians or other health professionals control your health.
   
3. The Chance Health Locus of Control Scale (C) measures whether you feel your health is due to luck, fate, or chance.
   

Directions: For each answer, choose a number from 1 to 5 that best describes your feelings.

5 = Strongly agree

4 = Agree

3 = Neither agree or disagree

2 = Disagree

1 = Strongly disagree

Subscale 1: Internal Health Locus of Control

____ If I get sick, my behavior determines how soon I get well.

____ I am in control of my health.

____ When I get sick, I am to blame.

____ If I take care of myself, I can avoid illness.

____ If I take the right actions, I can stay healthy.

____ Total

Subscale 2: Powerful Others Health Locus of Control

____ Having regular contact with my physician is the best way for me to avoid illness.

____ Whenever I don't feel well, I should consult a medically trained professional.

____ My family has a lot to do with my becoming sick or staying healthy.

____ Health professionals control my health.

____ When I recover from an illness, it's usually because other people such as doctors, nurses, family, and friends have been taking good care of me.

____ Regarding my health, I can only do what my doctor tells me to do.

____ Total

Subscale 3: Chance Health Locus of Control

____ No matter what I do, if I am going to get sick, I will get sick.

____ Most things that affect my health happen to me accidentally.

____ Luck plays a big part in determining how soon I will recover from an illness.

____ My good health is largely a matter of good fortune.

____ No matter what I do, I am likely to get sick.

____ If it is meant to be, I will stay healthy.

____ Total

To obtain your score for a subscale, add the numbers you choose.

1. A score of 23 to 30 on any subscale means you have a strong inclination toward that particular subscale. For example, a high C score indicates you hold strong beliefs that your health is a matter of chance.
   
2. A score of 15 to 22 means you are moderate on that particular subscale. For example, a moderate P score indicates you have moderate belief that your health is due to powerful others.
   
3. A score of 6 to 14 means you are low on that particular subscale. For example, a low I score means you generally do not believe that you control your own health.
   

(Wellness: Concepts and Applications, 3rd edition. D.J. Anspaugh, M.H. Hamrick, F.D. Rosato)