The factor structure of health locus of control (Form A; K. A. Wallston, B. S. Wallston, & R. DeVellis, 1978) was examined in 420 octogenarians (M age = 83.2 years), and the contributions of genetic and environmental factors to health-control beliefs in 141 octogenarian twin pairs (71 identical, 70 same-sex fraternal) were estimated. Factor analyses reproduced previously proposed factors (Internal, Chance, and Powerful Others). Associations between health-control beliefs and life satisfaction, depression, and other health-related measures (e.g., self-rated health, outpatient contacts, and hospitalization), were modest. Quantitative genetic analyses revealed significant shared environmental influence on the Chance subscale, and significant familiality (attributable to a combination of genetic and shared environmental influences) on the Powerful Others subscale; there was no evidence of familiality on the Internal subscale.
CITATION STYLE
Johansson, B., Grant, J. D., Plomin, R., Pedersen, N. L., Ahern, F., Berg, S., & McClearn, G. E. (2001). Health locus of control in late life: A study of genetic and environmental influences in twins aged 80 years and older. Health Psychology, 20(1), 33–40. https://doi.org/10.1037/0278-6133.20.1.33
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