Correlates of Health Locus of Control among Patients Diagnosed with Type-II Diabetes Mellitus

Background: The comorbidity between chronic physical conditions and psychosocial health became common interest for health professional and researchers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among health locus of control, self efficacy, and demographic factors in patients with type-II diabetes mellitus. Method: Data were collected using cross-sectional, correaltional design from 793 patients with type-II diabetes in regards to health locus of control (HLOC) self-efficacy, and biomarkers. Results: The mean score for the internal subscale of HLOC was 27.2 (SD = 6.32), for the powerful others subscale of HLOC it was 30.9 (SD = 5.7), and for chance subscale of HLOC it was 18.6 (SD = 6.8). The mean total score of locus of control scale was 76.8 (SD = 13.1) ranging from 19 to 132. The mean score of HbA1C was 7.5 (SD = 2.6). Patients had moderate to high perception of powerful other health locus of control, and self efficacy. Results also showed that locus of control had positive and significant correlation with self efficacy (r = 0.18, p > 0.01) and negative relationship with HbA1C (r = -0.11, p > 0.01). On the other hand, age has no significant correlation with health locus of control. Conclusion: Health care professionals need to enhance patient’s self-efficacy and internal power of their patients for better health outcomes. Nurses and other health professionals need to emphasize the psychosocial health aspects of patients with chronic illnesses, and in particular, those diagnosed with type-II diabetes mellitus.