Low perceived control contributes substantially to socioeconomic differences in mortality

Perceived control has been suggested as an explantion for socioeconomic differences in health. Bosma et al (p 1469) tried to confirm this and examine the extent to which perceived control contributes to socioeconomic differences in mortality by studying nearly 2500 men and women in Eindhoven. All completed Rotter's locus of control scale and were followed up for six years. As expected, socioeconomic indicators were related to mortality, and perceived low control accounted for 51% of the raised mortality risk in the lowest socioeconomic groups. The authors recommend further examination of psychological mechanisms to determine how social structure affects health.

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Relevant Article

Socioeconomic inequalities in mortality and importance of perceived control: cohort study

Hans Bosma, Carola Schrijvers, and Johan P Mackenbach
BMJ 1999 319: 1469-1470. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]