Using Locus of Control to Predict the Return-to-Work Achievements of Back-Injured Occupational Rehabilitation Clients

Abstract

It has been proposed that perceived control plays an important role in influencing health-related behaviour. This study examined the relationship between locus of control and the return-to-work achievements of a group of back-injured workers' compensation claimants. The obtained results supported the hypothesised relationships between both ‘internal’ and ‘powerful others’ locus of control, and the return-to-work criterion variables. It was concluded that use of rehabilitation-specific measures of locus of control (such as were employed in the present study) could guide the program planning efforts of rehabilitation personnel dealing with this client group.