Perceived control, illness status, stress, and adjustment to cardiac illness

A sample of 71 cardiac patients was assessed using the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scales (Wallston, Wallston, & DeVellis, 1978) and a measure of outcome expectancies specific to cardiac recovery. Variables included life stress, chronicity of the heart disease, and the level of symptoms reported. Appraisals of control were unrelated to psychological distress when contextual variables were statistically controlled. An interactive effect between the level of life stress and perception of control was significantly associated with psychological distress. These results provide additional support for the inclusion of contextual variables in research on the effects of control appraisals.