Academic Scientific JournalsHealth locus of control as a psychological factor in improving treatment results in adolescents with primary hypertension and diabetes
Keywords:
adolescent, health locus of control, hypertension, cooperation in the treatment process, type 1 diabetesAbstract
Background
The belief that an individual can influence and control the course of events is a factor which enables a person to overcome difficulties. Some studies, however, have questioned the universality of this statement. This study aims to investigate and explore the relationship between the self-health locus of control and the effectiveness of cooperation in the treatment process in adolescents with chronic diseases.
Participants and procedure
One hundred and sixty-four adolescent patients suffering from chronic diseases (61 girls and 103 boys) ranging from 11 to 17 years old participated in the study. Eighty-seven had primary hypertension and 77 had type 1 diabetes. To investigate their sense of health control we used the Health Locus of Control Scale (HLC). Cooperation in the treatment process was assessed using a 4-item scale completed by a doctor.
Results
Better results in the treatment were positively correlated with a better internal health locus of control. A negative correlation between the chance health locus of control and results in the treatment was found. Differences in the health locus of control proved to be dependent on gender, age and different clinical groups.
Conclusions
Health locus of control in patients with chronic diseases seems to be a crucial factor in determining the results of the treatment process in such patients.
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