Health locus of control among patients with type 2 diabetes – preliminary test results

Introduction
Diabetes is an increasing problem of contemporary societies. In chronic diseases, the patient’s approach has a significant impact on self-care, treatment, and prevention of complications. It is related to the concept of internal or external health locus of control.

Aim of the study
The aim of the study was to investigate health locus of control among type 2 diabetes patients.

Material and methods
The study involved 70 patients with type 2 diabetes, hospitalised in the Clinical Department of Metabolic Diseases at the University Hospital in Krakow. The Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scale (MHLC) – version B and the authors’ questionnaire were used to examine the health locus of control. Statistical analysis was carried out using Statistica 13.1, and p < 0.05 was the significance level.

Results
The highest result was obtained in the area of locus of control in the external dimension – the influence of other people, followed by the internal dimension. The lowest result was obtained in the area of health locus of control in chance. Locus of health control in the external dimension correlated with the age and education level of the respondents and the support they received, as well as with their reactions to the diagnosis. Both the internal and external dimensions of health locus of control correlated with the knowledge of the respondents about hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia.

Conclusions
The results of our own research indicate the necessity of taking actions aimed at strengthening the internal sense of health control in patients with type 2 diabetes.