A Japanese version of the Health Locus of Control Scales

Abstract

Conducted a study aimed at developing a Japanese version of the Health Locus of Control Scale (B. S. Wallston et al, 1976) after finding that the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scales (K. A. Wallston et al, 1978) are inadequate for measuring Japanese thinking about health and illness. Ss were 328 undergraduate students (pretest), 40 adult females (aged 23–51 yrs), and 34 female and (aged 19–20 yrs) and 159 male undergraduate students (aged 18–22 yrs). A 91-item questionnaire was administered to the 328 pretest Ss. Factor analysis yielded 5 subscales: Internal, Family, Professional, Chance, and Supernatural. A 25-item questionnaire (5 items for each of the subscales) was administered to the other Ss. Alpha reliabilities were assessed. (English abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)