Internal control and belief in hard work have each' been associated with good physical health. This study evaluated these variables (individually and as paired comparisons) in the relationship between life stress and physical illness. Each appeared to be a moderator variable; their combination was the more powerful predictor.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
ForwardJ. R.WilliamsJ. R.Internal-external control and black militancy. Journal of Social Issues, 1971, 26, 75–92.
2.
GurinP.GurinG.LaoR. C.BeattieM.Internal-external control in the motivational dynamics of Negro youth. Journal of Social Issues, 1969, 25, 29–53.
3.
HolmesT. H.RaheR. E.The social readjustment rating scale. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 1967, 11, 213–218.
4.
KobasaS. C.Stressful life events, personality, and health: An inquiry into hardiness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1969, 37, 1–11.
5.
RotterJ. B.Generalized expectations for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psychological Monographs, 1966, 80, No. 1 (Whole No. 609).
6.
VaillantG. F.VaillantC.Natural history of male psychological health. X: Work as a predictor of positive mental health. American Journal of Psychiatry, 1981, 138, 1433–1440.
7.
WallstonR. S.AlagnaS. W.DeVblusB. M.DeVellisR. F.Social supports and physical health. Health Psychology, 1983, 2, 367–391.
8.
WhiteR. W.Evolution of the Mental Health Value System—1928–1983. Paper presented at Grand Rounds, The Cambridge Hospital, Cambridge, MA, 1983.