Abstract WP81: The Association Between Health-related Locus Of Control And Post-stroke Disability, Quality Of Life, And Depression

• Published in: Stroke (1970) Vol. 53; no. Suppl_1
• Main Authors: Gutierrez, Desiree, Wing, Jeffrey J, Drum, Emily, Boden-Albala, Bernadette
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.02.2022
• ISSN: 0039-2499; 1524-4628
• DOI: 10.1161/str.53.suppl_1.WP81

Abstract only Introduction: Beliefs regarding ones’ control over their health can lie internally, influenced by their own actions, or externally, controlled by others or due to chance. Objective: To examine the association between health-related locus of control (HRLC) type and post-stroke disability, quality of life, and depression. Methods: This study utilized data from the Discharge Educational Strategies for Reduction of Vascular Events (DESERVE) trial (n=552). Participants were categorized into three groups based on their highest Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) score. The Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) was used to assess post-stroke disability and quality of life. Linear regression was used to identify differences in each SIS domain score between the three groups while adjusting for the intervention. Depression was defined as a Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CESD) score ≥16. Logistic regression was used to examine differences in depression between the three groups while adjusting for the intervention. Results: Of the 529 participants who completed the MHLC questionnaire at baseline, 179 (33.3%) were categorized into the internal group , 163 (30.8%) into the powerful others group, and 190 (35.9%) into the chance group. Of the 297 participants who completed the CESD questionnaires at 12 months, 163 (54.8%) scored ≥ 16. Participant’s mean scores for each SIS domain are reported in Table 1. For the SIS communication domain, the chance group’s mean score was 3.03 points lower than the powerful others group’s score (SE=1.39, p=.029). There were no statistically significant differences in scores for the other seven SIS domains or for depression between groups (Table 1). Discussion: External HRLC based on chance may be a predictor of communication difficulties in patients post-stroke. However, mean communication scores are skewed. Control beliefs are important in post-stroke recovery. More research is needed to validate these findings.