Locus of Control and Physical Well-Being

In the present study, the associations between locus of control as two distinct constructs; internal and external, and physical well-being were examined. It was hypothesized that internal and external locus of control would each predict unique variance in physical well-being. Eastern Kentucky University students (n = 577) participated in a self-report online survey answering questions regarding their internal locus of control, external locus of control, physical activity, healthy food consumption, junk food consumption, substance consumption, and illness symptoms. Using simultaneous linear regression analyses, the results showed that Internal LOC was positively associated with Exercise. External LOC was positively associated with Junk Food, Substance Use, and Illness Symptoms. There were no other significant correlations. These results imply that internal and external locus of control should be measured as two separate constructs, and that both internal and external locus of control contribute uniquely to physical well-being.https://encompass.eku.edu/swps_undergraduategallery/1006/thumbnail.jp