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LOCUS OF CONTROL AND SELF-EFFICACY: POTENTIAL MEDIATORS OF STRESS, ILLNESS, AND UTILIZATION OF HEALTH SERVICES IN COLLEGE STUDENTS

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Date Issued:
2007
Abstract/Description:
Stress has been linked to increased illness in several biologically based studies. In contrast, only a limited number of studies have assessed psychological variables related to stress, with self-efficacy and locus of control serving as potentially important variables. Thus, the current study investigated the mediating effects of self-efficacy and locus of control in the relationship between stress, psychological and physical symptoms, and the utilization of health services in college students. Results suggested that stress was correlated positively with symptoms. External locus of control was correlated positively with stress and symptoms, and self-efficacy was correlated negatively with stress and symptoms. Further, structural equation modeling was used to test two separate models. The first model examined the relationships between stress and symptoms and between symptoms and utilization of health services. Although the path coefficients suggested that there were direct relationships, the data did not adequately fit this model. The second model examined the potential mediational effects of locus of control and self-efficacy on the relationship between stress and symptoms. The path coefficients for the second model were consistent with a mediation effect for locus of control in the relationship between stress and symptoms; however, when this model was tested for full mediation, the data did not fit the model. These results highlight the importance of having future studies examine and identify potential mediators of the stress and illness link. Implications for reducing health care costs and promoting better mental and physical health are discussed.
Title: LOCUS OF CONTROL AND SELF-EFFICACY: POTENTIAL MEDIATORS OF STRESS, ILLNESS, AND UTILIZATION OF HEALTH SERVICES IN COLLEGE STUDENTS.
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Name(s): Roddenberry, Angela , Author
Renk, Kimberly, Committee Chair
University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor
Type of Resource: text
Date Issued: 2007
Publisher: University of Central Florida
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: Stress has been linked to increased illness in several biologically based studies. In contrast, only a limited number of studies have assessed psychological variables related to stress, with self-efficacy and locus of control serving as potentially important variables. Thus, the current study investigated the mediating effects of self-efficacy and locus of control in the relationship between stress, psychological and physical symptoms, and the utilization of health services in college students. Results suggested that stress was correlated positively with symptoms. External locus of control was correlated positively with stress and symptoms, and self-efficacy was correlated negatively with stress and symptoms. Further, structural equation modeling was used to test two separate models. The first model examined the relationships between stress and symptoms and between symptoms and utilization of health services. Although the path coefficients suggested that there were direct relationships, the data did not adequately fit this model. The second model examined the potential mediational effects of locus of control and self-efficacy on the relationship between stress and symptoms. The path coefficients for the second model were consistent with a mediation effect for locus of control in the relationship between stress and symptoms; however, when this model was tested for full mediation, the data did not fit the model. These results highlight the importance of having future studies examine and identify potential mediators of the stress and illness link. Implications for reducing health care costs and promoting better mental and physical health are discussed.
Identifier: CFE0001831 (IID), ucf:47337 (fedora)
Note(s): 2007-08-01
Ph.D.
Sciences, Department of Psychology
Doctorate
This record was generated from author submitted information.
Subject(s): Locus of Control
Self-Efficacy
Stress
Utilization of Health Services
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001831
Restrictions on Access: private 2007-08-01
Host Institution: UCF

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