MHLC
Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scales (MHLC)
The MHLC is a self-report questionnaire designed to measure a person's beliefs about the control of their health. It classically assesses three major dimensions: internal health locus of control, the role of chance and the influence of powerful others, particularly health professionals or the people around the person. This tool is widely used in health psychology, behavioral medicine and clinical research to better understand treatment adherence, preventive behaviors, illness perception and patient engagement in care. The version most widely used in general practice is based on 18 items divided into three subscales. The MHLC helps psychologists identify whether a person considers their health status to depend mainly on their own actions, on uncontrollable external factors or on authority figures. It is a useful instrument for guiding the clinical interview, refining psychoeducation and tailoring interventions that target motivation, illness self-management and health-related behavior change.
- Number of questions
- 18 questions
- Estimated duration
- 5 minutes
- Language
- English
- Original name
- Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scales
- Target audience
- Adults
- Authors
- Kenneth A. Wallston, Barbara S. Wallston, Robert DeVellis (1978)
Scoring & interpretation
Items are generally rated on a 6-point Likert scale, from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”. Scoring is done by subscale rather than as an overall total score: 6 items measure internal control, 6 chance and 6 powerful others. The scores of each subscale are summed separately; the higher the score, the stronger the corresponding belief. Interpretation should compare the relative profile across the three dimensions rather than look for a single summary index. Depending on the versions and adaptations, some items may require checking the scoring key in the manual or the reference publication.
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