Locus of control, self-control, and health outcomes

Ferdi Botha; Sarah C Dahmann

doi:10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101566

Locus of control, self-control, and health outcomes

SSM Popul Health. 2023 Nov 24:25:101566. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101566. eCollection 2024 Mar.

Authors

Ferdi Botha^{1

2}, Sarah C Dahmann^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute: Applied Economic & Social Research.
² ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course.
³ Institute of Labor Economics (IZA.

Abstract

We provide the first empirical evidence on the direct link between locus of control and self-control, and how they interact in explaining a range of health outcomes. Using rich Australian survey data, we find that, while the two traits are distinct constructs, a greater internal locus of control is associated with higher self-control. The association between locus of control and health is reduced once we control for self-control, suggesting that self-control mediates at least part of this relationship. Finally, an internal locus of control amplifies the beneficial effects of self-control particularly for physical health.

Keywords: Health; Health behavior; Self-control; locus of control.