Health locus of control and associated factors among community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional descriptive study.

Background: To know the level of health locus of control (HLC) and investigate the factors associated with HLC among community-dwelling older adults.

Method: A total of 470 older adults completed the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, the Activities of Daily Living Scale, the Geriatric Depression Scale, and the Lubben Social Network Scale. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to explore the factors associated with HLC.

Results: Gender, marital status, income and the number of chronic diseases were associated with internal HLC; age, educational level, income, activities of daily living and social networks were associated with powerful others HLC; social networks were associated with chance HLC (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: As modifiable factors, physical function and social support are essential for improving HLC in older adults and interventional programs aiming at changing them could help older adults maintain acceptable levels of HLC.