Relationship between health related locus of control and health behaviour among university students

Abstract

In the literature on prophylaxis, health promotion and health psychology, a lot of consideration is given to health determinants, and particularly to lifestyle and practised health behaviour. Apparently an important goal of deliberation on that topic is to recognize the beliefs and motives for action of the healthy and unhealthy in the areas of life, which considerably influence the health. According to experts, people’s attitudes in respect of health care are determined by a number of factors. Individual choice of the kind of adopted behaviour largely depends on the level of general knowledge, particularly knowledge on health protection, as well as experience, motivation, recognized values and set objectives. An important factor modifying an individual’s activity in the process of maintaining full bio-psycho-social welfare is health-related locus of control.1 It is believed that undertaking actions in respect of physical and mental well-being largely depends on the expressed opinions on the influence of internal and external factors on health condition.