Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC)

This self-report survey measures beliefs about who controls health. It helps researchers see if patients rely on personal habits, doctors, or chance to manage their well-being.

Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC) PDF questionnaire for assessing health beliefs
MHLC

Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC)

The Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC) measures a patient's belief in what controls their health. It assesses three areas: internal factors, chance, and powerful others. This insight helps clinicians predict health behaviours and adjust care strategies to suit individual needs.

Category

Mental health
Wellbeing

Disease

Assessment
Mental Health
Patient-Centered Care

Source

(Wallston, Wallston, & DeVellis, 1978)

Author Name

Wallston, K.A., Wallston, B.S. & DeVellis, R. (1978)

Page Editor

Thijs Sondag

What is Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC)

The Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC) is a trusted tool for checking how patients view their ability to influence personal wellness. This assessment looks at where a person places responsibility for their health status and outcomes. It breaks down beliefs into three distinct areas to give a clear picture of mindset. It measures Internal control alongside Chance and reliance on Powerful Others like doctors. Respondents rate items on a six-point Likert scale ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree, helping identify if they trust themselves or outside forces more. Available in Forms A, B, and C, it fits general populations or specific conditions. Clinicians use it to predict health behaviours and adherence to treatment. It is quick to administer and score, allowing teams to match education to the patient's specific worldview for better results.

MHLC Scoring

The Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale is scored by calculating three separate subscale totals. You simply sum the values for the Internal, Chance, and Powerful Others dimensions independently. Items use a six point Likert scale, so you add up the numbers for each section to get a range from 6 to 36. Never combine these into one big total score. Instead, look at the profile to see if a patient trusts their own actions, luck, or medical staff most. High scores indicate a strong belief in that specific source of control.

View scoring form

Advantages

Treatment planning

Develops personalised strategies based on assessment data.

Patient engagement

Promotes active participation in healthcare assessment.

Research validity

Strengthens evidence through systematic measurement approaches.

Condition versatility

Applicable across multiple diseases and conditions.

10
Minutes
20
Questions

Streamline Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale assessments with WeGuide

Streamline MHLC administration. Automatically score and track patient health beliefs to better personalise care.

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