Editing Locus of control (section)

=='''Evidence'''==
In a study related to health from CDC<ref name="Nazareth_et_al_2016">Nazareth, M., Richards, J., Javalkar, K., Haberman, C., Zhong, Y., Rak, E., Jain, N., Ferris, M., & van Tilburg, M. A. (2016). Relating Health Locus of Control to Health Care Use, Adherence, and Transition Readiness Among Youths With Chronic Conditions, North Carolina, 2015. Preventing Chronic Disease, 13. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd13.160046</ref>, a research was done for a group of youths of ages between 6 and 17 with chronic diseases to discover the relationship between locus of control and their health conditions. The results of the research discovered that <i>a stronger internal LOC(locus of control) was associated with improved outcomes, and a stronger external LOC was linked to poorer outcomes</i><ref name ="Nazareth_et_al_2016" />. This research also states an example of implementing a pain management program as a way to increase internal locus of control which allows patients to shift their beliefs toward feeling more in control of their own health condition.

This suggests that identifying the type of Locus of Control is highly valuable in regards to health care because knowing the outcomes of a type of locus of control may provide possible countermeasures for health care organizations that can be taken to improve health conditions of their patients.

==='''Internal Locus of Control'''===
[[File:LeadershipIQ.JPG|frameless|500px|The higher the internal locus of control, the more effort is put toward the work|link=https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0860/7364/t/16/assets/pf-152fbc2a--INSPIRES.png?v=1623369143]]
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<sup>[https://www.leadershipiq.com/blogs/leadershipiq/internal-locus-of-control-definition-and-research source]</sup>
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Research study shows that employees with higher internal locus of control are likely happy about their career and are likely to recommend their company to others. Based on the study, it also shows that employees are more likely to put much effort toward at work with higher internal locus of control<ref name="Api_2022">Api, S. (2022, March 11). Internal Locus Of Control: Definition And Research. Leadership IQ. https://www.leadershipiq.com/blogs/leadershipiq/internal-locus-of-control-definition-and-research</ref>. Having a high internal locus of control suggests a better health condition, lower stress level, and greater confidence in self ability to influence outcomes<ref name="Api_2022" />. To read the full article, visit [https://www.leadershipiq.com/blogs/leadershipiq/internal-locus-of-control-definition-and-research here].

==='''External Locus of Control'''===
In an article from <i>Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Communication</i><ref name ="Shen_2017">Shen, L. (2017). Fatalism and Locus of Control as a Consideration When Designing Health and Risk Messages. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Communication. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228613.013.341</ref>, having a level of external locus of control is normally associated with negative health conditions such as obesity, cancer, depression, to name a few. While research views external locus of control as negative<ref name="Shen_2017" />, an article from Verywell Mind<ref name="VerywellMind_2022">Are You in Control of Your Destiny, or Are You at the Mercy of Chance? (2022, October 17). Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-locus-of-control-2795434</ref> argues that having an external locus of control could possibly lower stress. This article uses a loss in a sports game as an example and explains that if the person applies external locus of control and pushes the responsibility to an unpleasant weather or a strong opposing team, the person may feel more stress free and less depressed<ref name ="VerywellMind_2022" />.

==='''Characteristics'''===
According to Mind.help<ref name="What_Is_Locus_of_Control" />, most people fall under a combination of both internal and external locus of control. However there are several characteristics that are dominant by a particular type of locus of control<ref name="What_Is_Locus_of_Control" />. Mind.help addresses these characteristics in the following table:
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:left"
|-
! Internal Locus of Control !! External Locus of Control 
|-
| Takes responsibility for their own actions || Places blame on external forces
|-
| Less influenced by the opinions of others || Tends to credit luck or chance for any successes
|-
| Does well in tasks when they work on their own pace || Refuses to believe that their situation can change through their own efforts
|-
| Physically healthier || Feels helpless or powerless in different situations
|-
| Works hard to achieve the things they want || More susceptible to experiencing learned helplessness
|-
| Has a strong sense of self-efficacy || Physically unfit
|-
| Are more happier and independent || Doesn’t work towards success or change
|-
| Achieves greater success at workplace || Less happier and dependent
|}<sup>From: [https://mind.help/topic/locus-of-control https://mind.help/topic/locus-of-control]</sup><br>
The table shows that people with internal locus of control tend to be more responsible about themselves and seem to be more in control of their own actions. On contrast, people with external locus of control tend to push responsibilities to external forces and do not believe they are in charge of their own actions and outcomes.

==='''Discover Your Locus of Control'''===
For those who are interested in knowing what type of locus of control you possess, below is a link to a quick quiz that helps you understand your current locus of control<ref name ="MindTools">MindTools | Home. (n.d.). https://www.mindtools.com/am8v6ux/locus-of-control</ref>: <br>
[https://www.mindtools.com/am8v6ux/locus-of-control <b>Locus of Control : Are You in Charge of Your Destiny?</b>]
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