Editing Locus of control (section)

=={{anchor|Locus of control and age}}Age==
Some studies showed that with age people develop a more internal locus of control,<ref name="LOCpsy">{{cite journal |author1=Hovenkamp-Hermelink, J.H.M.|author2= Jeronimus, B.F.| author3= Spinhoven, P.  | author4= Penninx, B.W. | author5= Schoevers, R.A. | author6= Riese, H. | year = 2019 | title = Differential associations of locus of control with anxiety, depression and life-events: A five-wave, nine-year study to test stability and change | journal = Journal of Affective Disorders | volume = 253 | issue = 1 | pages = 26–34 | doi= 10.1016/j.jad.2019.04.005|pmid= 31009845|url= https://pure.rug.nl/ws/files/80474487/DEF_manuscript_Locus_of_Control.pdf| hdl= 11370/1650e544-5e12-40a1-a76d-e7f18032c27d |s2cid= 128362738| hdl-access= free }}</ref> but other study results have been ambiguous.{{sfn|Aldwin| Gilmer|2004}}{{sfn|Johansson|Grant|Plomin|Pedersen|2001}} Longitudinal data collected by Gatz and Karel imply that internality may increase until middle age, decreasing thereafter.<ref>{{Cite journal | doi=10.1177/016502549301600211 |title = Individual Change in Perceived Control over 20 Years|journal = International Journal of Behavioral Development|volume = 16|issue = 2|pages = 305–322|year = 1993|last1 = Gatz|first1 = Margaret|last2 = Karel|first2 = Michele J.|s2cid = 144387499}} Cited in {{harvnb|Johansson|Grant|Plomin|Pedersen|2001}}.</ref> Noting the ambiguity of data in this area, Aldwin and Gilmer (2004) cite Lachman's claim that locus of control is ambiguous. Indeed, there is evidence here that changes in locus of control in later life relate more visibly to increased externality (rather than reduced internality) if the two concepts are taken to be [[orthogonal]]. Evidence cited by Schultz and Schultz (2005) suggests that locus of control increases in internality until middle age. The authors also note that attempts to control the environment become more pronounced between ages eight and fourteen.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Heckhausen |first1=Jutta |last2=Schulz |first2=Richard |title=A life-span theory of control |journal=Psychological Review |date=1995 |volume=102 |issue=2 |pages=284–304 |doi=10.1037/0033-295X.102.2.284 |pmid=7740091 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |pmid = 1144613|year = 1975|last1 = Ryckman|first1 = R. M.|title = Relationship between locus of control and chronological age|journal = Psychological Reports|volume = 36|issue = 2|pages = 655–8|last2 = Malikiosi|first2 = M. X.|doi = 10.2466/pr0.1975.36.2.655|s2cid = 7788296}}</ref>

Health locus of control is how people measure and understand how people relate their health to their behavior, health status and how long it may take to recover from a disease.<ref name="JL reff 1">{{cite journal |doi=10.1007/s12144-011-9108-z |title=Predictors of Health Locus of Control in Older Adults |journal=Current Psychology |volume=30 |issue=2 |pages=173–183 |year=2011 |last1=Jacobs-Lawson |first1=Joy M |last2=Waddell |first2=Erin L |last3=Webb |first3=Alicia K |s2cid=143634466 }}</ref> Locus of control can influence how people think and react towards their health and health decisions. Each day we are exposed to potential diseases that may affect our health. The way we approach that reality has a lot to do with our locus of control. Sometimes it is expected to see older adults experience progressive declines in their health, for this reason it is believed that their health locus of control will be affected.<ref name="JL reff 1"/> However, this does not necessarily mean that their locus of control will be affected negatively but older adults may experience decline in their health and this can show lower levels of internal locus of control.

Age plays an important role in one's internal and external locus of control. When comparing a young child and an older adult with their levels of locus of control in regards to health, the older person will have more control over their attitude and approach to the situation. As people age they become aware of the fact that events outside of their own control happen and that other individuals can have control of their health outcomes.<ref name="JL reff 1"/>

A study published in the journal ''Psychosomatic Medicine'' examined the health effect of childhood locus of control. 7,500 British adults (followed from birth), who had shown an internal locus of control at age 10, were less likely to be overweight at age 30. The children who had an internal locus of control also appeared to have higher levels of self-esteem.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080619/hl_nm/self_confident_dc | title=Self-confident children may be healthier as adults | website=Yahoo! News | date=June 19, 2008 | author=Norton, Amy | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624104952/http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080619/hl_nm/self_confident_dc | archive-date=June 24, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gale |first1=Catharine R. |last2=Batty |first2=G David |last3=Deary |first3=Ian J. |title=Locus of Control at Age 10 Years and Health Outcomes and Behaviors at Age 30 Years: The 1970 British Cohort Study |journal=Psychosomatic Medicine |date=May 2008 |volume=70 |issue=4 |pages=397–403 |doi=10.1097/PSY.0b013e31816a719e |pmid=18480188 |s2cid=19399017 }}</ref>