Date of Award:
5-2004
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Master of Science (MS)
Department:
Psychology
Committee Chair(s)
Kevin Masters
Committee
Kevin Masters
Committee
Edward Heath
Committee
JoAnn Tschanz
Abstract
An intrinsic religious orientation has been linked to improved cardiovascular health. Individuals may be protected by their beliefs against anger/hostility, which have been linked to increased cardiovascular reactivity and disease. Health locus of control differentiates between internals, who take responsibility for health, and externals, who attribute responsibility to chance or powerful others. Internal health locus of control has been linked to healthy behaviors, but its relationship to religious orientation is unclear.
Intrinsically held religious beliefs and internally held expectancies for health may, through the mechanism of reactivity, reduce risk for cardiovascular disease. This study explored relationships among health locus of control, religious orientation, and cardiovascular reactivity to an interpersonal stressor in an older adult population. Intrinsic religiousness and internal health locus of control emerged as highly related potential buffers against anger/hostility and cardiovascular reactivity.
Checksum
768e130d6a568eea312a389db34f5adf
Recommended Citation
Fallon, Jennifer A., "Roles of Religious Orientation and Health Locus of Control in an Aging Population" (2004). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 6200.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/6200
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