Predictors of change in health locus of control following surgical treatment

The effects of psychosocial, medical and treatment related factors upon change in health locus of control were studied in 369 surgical patients. Control beliefs were assessed prior to hospital admission and 4 months following discharge. The pre to post treatment correlations among the sub-scales ranged from 0.50 (internality) to 0.59 (control of powerful others) indicating considerable intraindividual instability in control beliefs over time. Path modeling of the latent control constructs indicated that education was associated with an increase in internal and a decrease in chance control. Increases in internality were predicted by a positive relationship with physicians. The severity of the illness predicted an increase in chance control. Subjective stress predicted an increase both in powerful others and chance externality. Treatment for coronary heart disease predicted increases both in internality and powerful others externality. Its predictors may be relevant in treatment programs.