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An examination and appreciation of the dimensions of locus of control in psychosis: issues and relationships between constructs and measurement
Author(s) -
Hutcheson C.,
Fleming M. P.,
Martin C. R.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.69
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1365-2850
pISSN - 1351-0126
DOI - 10.1111/jpm.12160
Subject(s) - locus of control , psychology , psychosis , psychological intervention , clinical psychology , locus (genetics) , developmental psychology , psychiatry , genetics , biology , gene
Accessible summary The findings from this narrative review suggest that the construct of locus of control, although underexplored in the area of schizophrenia, is of theoretical and clinical importance to the understanding of psychosis, the manifestation of classic psychotic symptoms and the path to recovery. An appraisal of the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) scale suggest that this tool may be a useful and robust instrument to use in research into the relationship between locus of control and psychosis. Application of the locus of control construct, and in particular health locus of control, may have important implications in developing psychologically coherent approaches to interventions with individuals with psychosis.Abstract Internal locus of control is associated with better psychological outcomes in comparison with external locus of control. Individuals experiencing a psychotic episode have a more external orientation, an externalizing bias for negative events and associations between paranoid delusions and external locus of control. The concept of multidimensional locus of control as measured by the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control ( MHLC ) scale may provide important information about the nature and course of psychotic symptoms. This narrative review explored the relationship between the orientation of locus of control and psychosis. Few studies have used the scale in samples with people experiencing psychotic symptoms and so there is limited evidence about the psychometric properties of the MHLC scale within this client group, although the findings from studies that have explored the properties of this tool in other groups suggest it could be a valuable instrument for use in psychosis. Further research is required to determine both the relationship between locus of control and psychosis in terms of therapeutic factors and outcome, and also the veracity of the MHLC scale as an instrument of choice in this group.