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Internal‐external ¦control and weight loss in the obese: Predictive and discriminant validity and some possible clinical implications
Author(s) -
Kincey John
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/1097-4679(198101)37:1<100::aid-jclp2270370118>3.0.co;2-g
Subject(s) - psychology , locus of control , weight loss , weight control , extraversion and introversion , predictive validity , personality , clinical psychology , discriminant validity , developmental psychology , big five personality traits , psychometrics , social psychology , obesity , medicine , internal consistency
It is argued that the locus of control dimension relates to various aspects of noncompliance with health‐related advice. Among a sample ( N = 131) of obese females following a behavioral weight loss program a measure of perceived personal control significantly predicted outcome. Internals and externals did not differ in cumulative weight loss early in the program, but did so from 8 weeks on; internals achieved greater mean weight loss. The internal control orientation was associated with higher extraversion and self‐acceptance but neither of these other variables correlated with weight loss. Clinical and theoretical implications of the interaction with time are discussed.