Psychometric properties of the Brazilian Health Locus of Control Scale

Psychol Rep. 1994 Aug;75(1 Pt 1):91-4. doi: 10.2466/pr0.1994.75.1.91.

Abstract

Based on social learning theory, the construct of health locus of control has proven valuable in predicting a wide variety of health-related behaviors. In studying this concept among Brazilians, the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale translated into Brazilian Portuguese were investigated in a sample of 280 middle-class persons. Three types of health locus of control were verified, internal, powerful others, and chance. Further refinement of subscales is needed to improve internal consistency reliabilities.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Brazil
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison*
  • Female
  • Health Behavior*
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control
  • Male
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data*
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Social Perception