Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC)

Scales
Greetings Fellow Health Researchers
From Kenneth A. Wallston, PhD
Thank you for inquiring about our MHLC scales. All three forms and the scoring instructions of the MHLC
are available just by clicking the "hot links" and printing out a particular form. Also, please be sure to read
the FAQs pages that contain answers to many Frequently Asked Questions about how to use the scales in
research studies.
 Form A
 Form B
 Form C
 Scoring Instructions for all Forms
 Selected Bibliography
 FAQ
Forms A & B are the "general" health locus of control scales that have been in use since the mid-late 1970's
(and were first described in Wallston, Wallston, & DeVellis, 1978, Health Education Monographs, 6, 160-
170.) Each of these two "equivalent" forms contain three 6 item subscales: internality; powerful others
externality; and chance externality. In the past 30 years, forms A/B have been used in over a thousand
studies and have been cited in the literature hundreds of times.
Form C is designed to be "condition-specific" and can be used in place of Form A/B when studying people
with an existing health/medical condition. [The way you make this happen is to replace the word "condition"
in each item with whatever condition (e.g., arthritis, diabetes, pain, etc.) your subjects have.] Like Forms
A/B, Form C also has 18 items, but, instead of a single 6 item powerful others subscale, Form C has two,
independent 3 item subscales: doctors, and other people. Form C is described in Wallston, Stein, & Smith,
1994, Journal of Personality Assessment, 63, 534-553.
We consider all three forms of the MHLC to be "in the public domain." That means that you are free to use
the scales in your research (and to alter them for your research in any way you choose) without obtaining
our explicit permission. We do ask, however, that you cite the scales correctly if/when you use them. If you
are a student, you have our permission to include a copy of scale(s) in the appendix to your thesis or
dissertation; otherwise, it would be unethical to publish these scales without obtaining our explicit written
permission to do so.
For those who are studying the relationship between religious beliefs and health, we have also developed the
God Locus of Health Control (GLHC) scale. The GLHC contains 6 items and can be used alone or in
conjunction with one of the forms of the MHLC. There are two versions of the GLHC: one assess the belief
that God control's one's health in general; the other assesses the belief that God controls changes in one's
medical condition. Click here for a copy o fthe GHLC items.
For more information, click here to send an e-mail message or mail a request to:
Ken Wallston, PhD
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
Godchaux Hall
21st Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37240
Last modified on 6/15/07
by Kandace Harmon
Form A
Instructions: Each item below is a belief statement about your medical condition with which you may agree
or disagree. Beside each statement is a scale which ranges from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (6).
For each item we would like you to circle the number that represents the extent to which you agree or
disagree with that statement. The more you agree with a statement, the higher will be the number you circle.
The more you disagree with a statement, the lower will be the number you circle. Please make sure that you
answer EVERY ITEM and that you circle ONLY ONE number per item. This is a measure of your
personal beliefs; obviously, there are no right or wrong answers.
1=STRONGLY DISAGREE (SD) 4=SLIGHTLY AGREE (A)
2=MODERATELY DISAGREE (MD) 5=MODERATELY AGREE (MA)
3=SLIGHTLY DISAGREE (D) 6=STRONGLY AGREE (SA)

SD MD D A MA SA
1 If I get sick, it is my own behavior which determines how soon I get well again. 1 2 3 4 5 6
2 No matter what I do, if I am going to get sick, I will get sick. 1 2 3 4 5 6
3 Having regular contact with my physician is the best way for me to avoid illness. 1 2 3 4 5 6
4 Most things that affect my health happen to me by accident. 1 2 3 4 5 6
5 Whenever I don't feel well, I should consult a medically trained professional. 1 2 3 4 5 6
6 I am in control of my health. 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 My family has a lot to do with my becoming sick or staying healthy. 1 2 3 4 5 6
8 When I get sick, I am to blame. 1 2 3 4 5 6
9 Luck plays a big part in determining how soon I will recover from an illness. 1 2 3 4 5 6
10 Health professionals control my health. 1 2 3 4 5 6
11 My good health is largely a matter of good fortune. 1 2 3 4 5 6
12 The main thing which affects my health is what I myself do. 1 2 3 4 5 6
13 If I take care of myself, I can avoid illness. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Whenever I recover from an illness, it's usually because other people (for
14 1 2 3 4 5 6
example, doctors, nurses, family, friends) have been taking good care of me.
15 No matter what I do, I 'm likely to get sick. 1 2 3 4 5 6
16 If it's meant to be, I will stay healthy. 1 2 3 4 5 6
17 If I take the right actions, I can stay healthy. 1 2 3 4 5 6
18 Regarding my health, I can only do what my doctor tells me to do. 1 2 3 4 5 6

Form B
Instructions: Each item below is a belief statement about your medical condition with which you may agree
or disagree. Beside each statement is a scale which ranges from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (6).
For each item we would like you to circle the number that represents the extent to which you agree or
disagree with that statement. The more you agree with a statement, the higher will be the number you circle.
The more you disagree with a statement, the lower will be the number you circle. Please make sure that you
answer EVERY ITEM and that you circle ONLY ONE number per item. This is a measure of your
personal beliefs; obviously, there are no right or wrong answers.

1=STRONGLY DISAGREE (SD) 4=SLIGHTLY AGREE (A)

2=MODERATELY DISAGREE (MD) 5=MODERATELY AGREE (MA)
3=SLIGHTLY DISAGREE (D) 6=STRONGLY AGREE (SA)

SD MD D A MA SA
1 If I become sick, I have the power to make myself well again. 1 2 3 4 5 6
2 Often I feel that no matter what I do, if I am going to get sick, I will get sick. 1 2 3 4 5 6
3 If I see an excellent doctor regularly, I am less likely to have health problems. 1 2 3 4 5 6
4 It seems that my health is greatly influenced by accidental happenings. 1 2 3 4 5 6
5 I can only maintain my health by consulting health professionals. 1 2 3 4 5 6
6 I am directly responsible for my health. 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 Other people play a big part in whether I stay healthy or become sick. 1 2 3 4 5 6
8 Whatever goes wrong with my health is my own fault. 1 2 3 4 5 6
9 When I am sick, I just have to let nature run its course. 1 2 3 4 5 6
10 Health professionals keep me healthy. 1 2 3 4 5 6
11 When I stay healthy, I'm just plain lucky. 1 2 3 4 5 6
12 My physical well-being depends on how well I take care of myself. 1 2 3 4 5 6
When I feel ill, I know it is because I have not been taking care of myself
13 1 2 3 4 5 6
properly.
The type of care I receive from other people is what is responsible for how well I
14 1 2 3 4 5 6
recover from an illness.
15 Even when I take care of myself, it's easy to get sick. 1 2 3 4 5 6
16 When I become ill, it's a matter of fate. 1 2 3 4 5 6
17 I can pretty much stay healthy by taking good care of myself. 1 2 3 4 5 6
18 Following doctor's orders to the letter is the best way for me to stay healthy. 1 2 3 4 5 6

Form C
Instructions: Each item below is a belief statement about your medical condition with which you may agree
or disagree. Beside each statement is a scale which ranges from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (6).
For each item we would like you to circle the number that represents the extent to which you agree or
disagree with that statement. The more you agree with a statement, the higher will be the number you circle.
The more you disagree with a statement, the lower will be the number you circle. Please make sure that you
answer EVERY ITEM and that you circle ONLY ONE number per item. This is a measure of your
personal beliefs; obviously, there are no right or wrong answers.

1=STRONGLY DISAGREE (SD) 4=SLIGHTLY AGREE (A)

2=MODERATELY DISAGREE (MD) 5=MODERATELY AGREE (MA)
3=SLIGHTLY DISAGREE (D) 6=STRONGLY AGREE (SA)

SD MD D A MA SA
If my condition worsens, it is my own behavior which determines how soon I
1 1 2 3 4 5 6
will feel better again.
2 As to my condition, what will be will be. 1 2 3 4 5 6
3 If I see my doctor regularly, I am less likely to have problems with my condition. 1 2 3 4 5 6
4 Most things that affect my condition happen to me by chance. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Whenever my condition worsens, I should consult a medically trained
5 1 2 3 4 5 6
professional.
6 I am directly responsible for my condition getting better or worse. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Other people play a big role in whether my condition improves, stays the same,
7 1 2 3 4 5 6
or gets worse.
8 Whatever goes wrong with my condition is my own fault. 1 2 3 4 5 6
9 Luck plays a big part in determining how my condition improves. 1 2 3 4 5 6
In order for my condition to improve, it is up to other people to see that the right
10 1 2 3 4 5 6
things happen.
Whatever improvement occurs with my condition is largely a matter of good
11 1 2 3 4 5 6
fortune.
12 The main thing which affects my condition is what I myself do. 1 2 3 4 5 6
I deserve the credit when my condition improves and the blame when it gets
13 1 2 3 4 5 6
worse.
Following doctor's orders to the letter is the best way to keep my condition from
14 1 2 3 4 5 6
getting any worse.
15 If my condition worsens, it's a matter of fate. 1 2 3 4 5 6
16 If I am lucky, my condition will get better. 1 2 3 4 5 6
If my condition takes a turn for the worse, it is because I have not been taking
17 1 2 3 4 5 6
proper care of myself.
The type of help I receive from other people determines how soon my condition
18 1 2 3 4 5 6
improves.

SCORING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE MHLC SCALES

SUBSCALE FORM(s) POSSIBLE RANGE ITEMS

Internal A, B, C 6 - 36 1, 6, 8, 12, 13, 17
Chance A, B, C 6 - 36 2, 4, 9, 11, 15, 16
Powerful Others A, B 6 - 36 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 18
Doctors C 3 - 18 3, 5, 14
Other People C 3 - 18 7, 10, 18

The score on each subscale is the sum of the values circled for each item on the subscale (i.e., where 1 =
"strongly disagree" and 6 = "strongly agree"). No items need to be reversed before summing. All of the
subscales are independent of one another. There is no such thing as a "total" MHLC score.

MHLC – Bibliography
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/nursing/kwallston/mhlcbibliography.htm

Wallston, B. S., Wallston, K. A., Kaplan, G. D., & Maides, S. A. (1976). The development and validation of
the health related locus of control (HLC) scale. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 44, 580-585.
view pdf

Wallston, K. A., Maides, S. A., & Wallston, B. S. (1976). Health related information seeking as a function
of health related locus of control and health value. Journal of Research in Personality, 10, 215-222. view pdf

Wallston, B. S. & Wallston, K. A. (1978). Locus of control and health: A Review of the literature. Health
Education Monographs, 6, 107-117. view pdf
Wallston, K. A., Wallston, B. S. & DeVellis, R. (1978). Development of the multidimensional health locus
of control (MHLC) scales. Health Education Monographs, 6, 160-170. view pdf

Wallston, K.A. & Wallston, B.S. (1981). Health locus of control scales. In H. Lefcourt (Ed.) Research with
the locus of control construct, Volume 1. New York: Academic Press. view pdf

Wallston, K.A. & Wallston, B.S. (1982). Who is responsible for your health: The construct of health locus
of control. In G. Sanders & J Suls (Eds.) Social Psychology of Health and Illness. Hillsdale, N.J.: Lawrence
Erlbaum & Associates, 65-95. view pdf

Wallston, K. A. (1982). Health locus of control beliefs. Patient Education Newsletter, 5, 56-57. view pdf

Stein, M. & Wallston, K. A. (1983). Biofeedback and locus of control: Some considerations for future re-
search. American Journal of Clinical Biofeedback, 6, 40-45. view pdf

Wallston, K. A., Smith, R. A., King, J. E., Forsberg, P. R., Wallston, B. S., & Nagy, V. T. (1983).
Expectancies about control over health: Relationship to desire for control of health care. Personality and
Social Psychology Bulletin, 9, 377-385. view pdf

Stein, M., Smith, M., & Wallston, K. A. (1984). Cross-cultural issues in health locus of control beliefs.
Psychological Studies, 29, 112-116. view pdf

Burish, T. G., Carey, M. P., Wallston, K. A., Stein, M. J., Jamison, R. N., & Lyles, J. N. (1984). Health
locus of control and chronic disease: An external orientation may be advantageous. Journal of Social and
Clinical Psychology, 2, 326-332. view pdf

Wallston, K. A., Wallston, B. S., Smith, S., & Dobbins, C. (1987). Perceived control and health. Current
Psychological Research and Reviews,6, 5-25. view pdf

Rock, D. L., Meyerowitz, B. E., Maisto, S. A., & Wallston, K. A. (1987). The derivation and validation of
six multidimensional health locus of control clusters. Research in Nursing and Health, 10, 185-195. view
pdf

Smith, R.A.P., Woodward, N.J., Wallston, B.S., Wallston, K.A., Rye, P. & Zylstra, M. (1988). Health care
implications of desire and expectancy for control in elderly adults. Journals of Gerontology, 43, P1 7. view
pdf

Wallston, K.A. (1989). Assessment of control in health care settings. Chapter in A. Steptoe & A. Appels
(Eds.) Stress, personal control and health. Chicester, England: Wiley. view pdf

Wallston, K.A. (1991). The importance of placing measures of health locus of control beliefs in a theoretical
context. Health Education Research, Theory & Practice, 6, 215-252. view pdf

Smith, M.S. & Wallston, K.A. (1992). How to measure the value of health. Health Education Research,
Theory, & Practice, 7, 129-135. view pdf

Wallston, K.A. (1992). Hocus-pocus, the focus isn't strictly on locus: Rotter's social learing theory modified
for health. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 16(2), 183-199. view pdf

Wallston, K.A., Stein, M.J., & Smith, K.A. (1994). Form C of the MHLC Scales: A condition-specific
measure of locus of control. Journal of Personality Assessment, 63, 534-553. view pdf

Wallston, K.A. & Smith, M.S. (1994). Issues of control and health: The action is the interaction. In G.
Penny, P. Bennett, and M. Herbert (Eds). Health psychology: A lifespan perspective. Chur, Switzerland:
Harwood. 153-168. view pdf
Wallston, K.A. (1997). Perceived control and health behavior. In A. Baum, C. McManus, S. Newman, J.
Weinman, and R. West (Eds). Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and medicine (Vol. 1).
Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. view pdf

Wallston, K. A., Malcarne, V. L., Flores, L., Hansdottir, I., Smith, C.A., Stein, M.J., Weisman, M.H., &
Clements, P.J. (1999). Does God determine your health? The God Locus of Health Control scale. Cognitive
Therapy and Research, 23, 131-142. view pdf

Chaplin, W. F., Davidson, K., Sparrow, V., Stuhr, J., Van Roosemalen, E., & Wallston, K. A. (2001). A
structural evaluation of the expanded Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale with a diverse sample
of Caucasian/European, Native, and Black Canadian women. Journal of Health Psychology,6, 447-455.
view pdf

Wallston, K.A. (2001). Conceptualization and operationalization of perceived control. In A. Baum, T.

Revenson, and J.E. Singer (Eds.) The Handbook of Health Psychology. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum. 49-58. view
pdf

Wallston, K.A. (2001). Control beliefs. In N.J. Smelser and P.B. Baltes (Eds.) International Encyclopedia of
the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Oxford, England: Elsevier Science. view pdf

Willis, A.S., Wallston, K.A., & Johnson, K. (2001). Tobacco and alcohol use among young adults:
Exploring religious faith, locus of health control, and coping strategies as predictors. In T. Plante and A.
Sherman (Eds.) Faith and Health. Guilford. view pdf

Wallston, K.A. (2004). Control and Health. In Norman Anderson (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Health & Behavior,
Volume One. Thousand Oaks, CA:Sage. 217-220. view pdf

Wallston, K.A. (2004). Multidimensionjal Health Locus of Control Scale. In A.J. Christensen, R. Martin,
and J. Smyth (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Health Psychology. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum. 171-172.
view pdf

Wallston, K.A. (2005) Overview of the special issue on research with the Multidimendional Health Locus of
Control (MHLC) Scales. Journal of Health Psychology, 10, 619-621. view pdf

Wallston, K.A. (2005). The validity of the Multidimensional Helath Locus of Control Scales. Journal o f
Health Psychology, 10, 623-631. view pdf

Masters, K.S., & Wallston, K.A. (2005). Canonical correlation reveals important relations between health
locus of control, coping, affect and values. Journal of Health Psychology, 10, 719-731. view pdf