Abstract:
This study examined the role of health locus of control and autonomy support in health behaviours (wellness behaviour and risk-taking behaviour) of hypertensive patients. Participants were 400 hypertensive patients (241 males and 159 females; Mage = 46.34, SD = 13.07), recruited from Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, Enugu, and Bishop Shanahan Specialist Hospital, Nsukka. Three measures were used in this study, namely, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (HLOC) Scale - Form C, Healthcare Climate Questionnaire (HCCQ) and Health Behaviour Checklist. Results of Hierarchical Linear Regression showed that internal HLOC significantly predicted wellness behaviour (β = .52, t = 11.81, p <.00, R2∆ = .26) and substance risk-taking (β = .33, t = 6.60, p <.001, R2∆ = .10). Chance HLC significantly predicted wellness behaviour (β = -.65, t = 18.33, p <.001, R2∆ = .32) and substance risk-taking (β = -.27, t = -4.84, p <.001, R2∆ = .05).). Doctor HLC neither significantly predicted wellness behaviour nor substance risk-taking. Other HLOC significantly predicted wellness behaviour (β = -.29, t = -8.31, p <.001, R2∆ = .06) but did not significantly predict substance risk-taking. Autonomy support significantly predicted wellness behaviour (β = .31, t = 9.70, p <.001, R2∆ = .06), but did not significantly predict substance risk-taking. It was concluded that health workers should pass individual-specific health counselling messages to motivate the patients to take responsibility for their own health and promote autonomous forms of behavioural regulation for hypertensive patients.
