Spinal cord injury and health locus of control beliefs.

Individual beliefs about control over their health were assessed in 53 patients with spinal cord injury. Patients who believed they exercised control over their health were less depressed than patients who were fatalistic. A significant number of patients were found to be higher in their internal attributions of health control (N = 31) than those who believed in chance (N = 5) and those who believed medical personnel were in control of their health (N = 11). The results are integrated with a past study of depression following spinal cord injury and locus of control beliefs.