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Published on: May 31, 2021
Multidimensional control beliefs, socioeconomic status, and health
Carolyn A Greene1, Karla Klein Murdock
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health Center, West Hartford, CT, USA. cgreene@uchc.edu
Objectives:
To investigate the role of control beliefs in the relationship between SES and health.
Methods:
Two different aspects of perceived control - contingency beliefs (locus of control) and competence beliefs (self-efficacy) - were examined in relation to subjective SES and physical health outcomes (subjective health, functional impairment, chronic health problems, and acute health symptoms) in a diverse sample of undergraduates (N=231).
Results:
Low self-efficacy was directly associated with poorer health outcomes and mediated the relationship between low SES and health, whereas locus of control did not.
Conclusions:
Health behavior interventions targeting generalized competence beliefs may benefit individuals from low SES backgrounds.
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