Citation

Boyd JM, Wilcox S. J. Health Psychol. 2017; ePub(ePub): 1359105317739099.

Affiliation

University of South Carolina, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1359105317739099

PMID

29115175

Abstract

For many people, the influence of believing in a higher power can elicit powerful effects. This study examined the relationship between God control, health locus of control, and frequency of religious attendance within 838 college students through online surveys. Regression analysis showed that chance and external locus of control and frequency of religious attendance were significant and positive predictors of God Locus of Health Control. The association of powerful others external locus of control and God Locus of Health Control differed by race (stronger in non-Whites than Whites) and somewhat by gender (stronger in women than men). For some people, the role of a supreme being, or God, should be considered when designing programs for improving health behaviors.

Language: en

Keywords

beliefs; health behavior; health psychology; locus of control; religion