Dissertations and Theses @ UNI
Availability
Open Access Thesis
Keywords
Women--Health programs; Physical fitness for women--Psychological aspects;
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in health locus of control among female participants in self-directed fitness programs and in group-directed fitness programs. It was hypothesized that subjects involved in self-directed fitness programs would have a more internal health locus of control orientation than subjects involved in group-directed fitness programs. In addition, it was hypothesized that subjects involved in group-directed fitness programs would have a more external health locus of control orientation than subjects involved in self-directed fitness programs. Seventy-seven females between the ages of 25 and 50 were selected for participation in this study. An exercise information sheet was used to determine if the subjects participated in a group-directed fitness program or a self-directed fitness program. Twenty-four subjects were identified as group-directed fitness program participants and 53 subjects were identified as self-directed fitness program participants. The Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Questionnaire (Wallston, Wallston, & DeVellis, 1978) was used to obtain locus of control scores from each subject. The scale is comprised of the internal health locus of control (IHLC) scale, the powerful others health locus of control (PHLC) scale and the chance health locus of control (CHLC) scale. A Mann-Whitney U analysis indicated a significant difference (p ( .05) in the IHLC scores between the self-directed fitness program group subjects and the group-directed fitness program group subjects. No significant differences (p) .05) were found in the powerful others health locus of control (PHLC) scores or the chance health locus of control (CHLC) scores between the subjects of the self-directed fitness program group and the group-directed fitness program group. These results lend partial support to earlier findings that differences in locus of control characteristics may affect individuals' health program orientation as well as the amount of success they experience in the program. In this study, females participating in self-directed fitness programs were found to have significantly higher internal health locus of control scores than females participating in group-directed fitness programs. The results were discussed in terms of an individual's locus of control orientation and types of physical fitness programs preferred.
Year of Submission
1984
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services
First Advisor
Sharon Huddleston
Second Advisor
Jane E. Richards
Third Advisor
David A. Whitsett
Date Original
1984
Object Description
1 PDF file (78 leaves)
Copyright
©1984 Becky Jessen Lang
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Lang, Becky Jessen, "Differences in Health Locus of Control Among Female Participants in Self-Directed Fitness Programs and Group-Directed Fitness Programs" (1984). Dissertations and Theses @ UNI. 1789.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/etd/1789
Comments
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