ASSOCIATION BETWEEN LIFESTYLE AND HEALTH LOCUS OF CONTROL IN MEDICAL STUDENTS

Torres-Malca J.R.; Vera-Ponce V.J.; Correa López L.; Alatrista Vda. de Bambarén M.D.S.; Guillen Ponce N.R.; De La Cruz-Vargas J.A. · Revista de la Facultad de Medicina Humana (2025) · DOI: 10.25176/rfmh.v25i2.7021

Resumen

Introduction: Health locus of control refers to an individual's perception of the extent to which they can influence their own health status. It is classified as internal when the person assumes responsibility for their health, or external when control is attributed to chance or other people. These beliefs directly affect self-care practices and lifestyle decisions. Objective: To determine the association between the dimensions of health locus of control (internality, powerful others, and chance) and lifestyle habits among university students in Lima, Peru. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted between March and April 2023 using an online survey. A total of 918 students from a private university participated, selected through non-probabilistic consecutive sampling. Validated instruments were used to assess lifestyle (nine dimensions) and health locus of control (three dimensions). Descriptive and bivariate analyses were carried out using the Chi-square test. Results: A total of 55.2% of participants reported having an unhealthy lifestyle. The internality dimension was significantly associated with sex (p<0.001), age (p=0.043), and place of residence (p=0.001). The dimensions of powerful others and chance were significantly associated with lifestyle (p=0.003 and p=0.001, respectively). Conclusions: An internal health locus of control is associated with healthier behaviors, while an external locus, particularly the chance dimension, is linked to riskier lifestyle patterns. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating psychological factors into health promotion strategies targeted at university populations

Instituciones: Universidad Ricardo Palma; Universidad Nacional de Ucayali