The Parent Health Locus of Control (PHLOC) investigates the individual's beliefs about the factors that govern their state of health and that of their children. The direct association between PHLOC and preventive health behaviours compliance has already been demonstrated in the literature. However, it is still unclear how socio-demographic variables affect the PHLOC. We investigated the Parent Health Locus of Control of parents of full-term and preterm infants and evaluated whether there were any correlations between PHLOC and socio-demographic characteristics of both parents and infants. A single-centre transverse observational study was conducted in the Neonatology Operating Unit IRCCS Ca 'Granda Foundation Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico of Milan. A self-administered questionnaire of the PHLOC scale was distributed to a sample of 370 parents of 320 full-term and 52 preterm infants attending the follow-up service. Parents under the age of 36 and with a higher level of education (bachelor's degree or above) believe less in the influence of the media on their child's health. Parents of preterm and first-child infants recognize the greater influence of health care workers, while parents of newborns that have experience complications in their clinical course, believe more in the influence of fate (Chance Health Locus of Control) and God. Younger parents with a higher level of education may be more prone to healthy preventative behaviours. Preterm birth is positively associated with an increased trust in health care professionals. The experience of disease can increase a "Chance Health Locus of Control" and risky behaviours. Assessment of PHLOC helps identify categories of parents prone to risky health behaviours and offer targeted health education interventions.
Keywords: health locus of control; internal-external locus; parenting; parent’s choices; preventive health behaviors.