The psychometric properties of the multidimensional health locus of control scales in an alcoholic population

Abstract

Examined the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) Scales with inpatients (N = 100) who were being treated at a Veterans Administration Medical Center Alcohol Dependence Treatment Unit. Acceptable levels of internal consistency were found whether consideration was given to the 6-item scales or the combined 12-item version. The three MHLC Scales appear to measure largely independent dimensions of locus of control beliefs specifically related to health. Factor analyses suggested that the instrument was factorily valid; three distinct factors emerged that fulfill notions of parsimony, psychological meaningfulness, and simple structure. The potential utility of the MHLC Scales for both clinical and research purposes is discussed with emphasis on individualized health intervention planning and treatment modalities that utilize the health locus of control construct.