Locus of control, social support, and adherence to the diabetes regimen

There is a need to better understand how psychosocial factors influence regimen adherence behavior. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the ability of internal diabetes locus of control and social support to predict adherence to a weight-control regimen among persons with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). A community-based sample of 465 patients with NIDDM was interviewed. Regression analyses revealed that internal locus of control and social support were modest but statistically significant predictors. Correlation analyses showed that internal locus of control was not related to weight control in the high social support group. In the low social support group, a stronger internal locus of control was not associated with weight management. The ways in which internal locus of control and social support work together were not clear. The findings suggest that these two factors are advantageous for promoting regimen adherence.