The relationship between health locus of control beliefs and the MMPI with an alcoholic population

Examined relationships between the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) Scales and subscales of the MMPI with inpatients (N = 90) at a Veterans Administration Medical Center Alcohol Dependency Treatment Unit. Comparison of MHLC scores for the alcoholic group and a normative sample of healthy adults revealed that alcoholics scored significantly higher on the Internality and Powerful Others Externality Scales. Significant correlations were found between dimensions of perceived locus of control and various personality characteristics; the Chance Externality Scale showed the strongest relationship to the MMPI subscales. Implications for future research are discussed, with emphasis on the potential clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of alcoholic treatment programs that incorporate the alcoholic's beliefs about personal control over health.