Hyperlipoproteinemic persons: Relationship between locus of control, health value, protective health behaviors, and illness/injury experiences

The Lipid Research Clinic Trials demonstrated conclusively that persons with elevated serum lipid levels were at a greater risk of developing a myocardial infarction. Methods of decreasing lipid levels include: dietary alterations, weight reduction, smoking cessation, normotensive blood pressure, exercise, and stress reduction. If unsuccessful, drug intervention is implemented. In the present study, variables were selected, using Rotter's Social Learning Theory, to examine the potential etiology for these unhealthy behaviors. A convenient sample of 33 persons, who were beginning treatment for hyperlipoproteinemia, were given four questionnaires in order to determine their health locus of control (LC), using the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Instrument; their health value (HV), using the Value Survey; their protective health behaviors (PHB), using the Cardiovascular Protective Health Behavior Instrument; and their experiences with illness/injury (EII), obtained as part of the Demographic Instrument. Utilizing chi square statistical analysis, no significant relationship was found between locus of control and HV, change in PHB, or EII. Within each of the LC groups (Internal, Powerful Others, Chance) the HV and EII scores were regressed to examine the ability to predict the change in PHB. Again, no statistically significant relationships were obtained. The lack of significant findings may be due to the use of instruments without demonstrated reliability and validity. Another plausible explanation is that health behaviors are the result of many interrelated dimensions, of which LC, HV, EII, and PHB are only a few