Assessing the relationship between a multidimensional psychological "control profile" and cardiovascular risk.

Abstract

This article begins by citing apparently conflicting sets of literature regarding the association between control and cardiovascular risk. Each set of findings is based on a unidimensional understanding of control. To gain more precise information, a multidimensional control inventory, the Shapiro Control Inventory (SCI), was given to twenty individuals at the time of their yearly physical. Results showed that low perceived control on the domain specific control scale was associated with higher cardiovascular risk. Further, several findings between specific risk parameters--smoking, calories from fat, blood pressure, and cholesterol level (HDL)--were significantly associated with different dimensions of the control profile. Case study data from the two individuals at highest risk suggest that different control profiles may be associated with cardiovascular risk. Guidelines and suggestions for future research are offered.