The Effects of Self‐Care Instruction on Locus of Control in Children

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Abstract
This study investigated the effects of self-care instruction on locus of control in fifth grade children. Forty-two fifth graders attending an upper middle-class Southwestern school were randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group. Children in the experimental group participated in a program adapted from the Health PACT program developed by Igoe and designed to show children how to become managers in their own health care. Children in the control group attended a health discussion. The results of this study suggest that participation in self-care instruction can increase the extent to which children view health event outcomes as being due to their actions. This research provides direct implications that schools should adopt classes encouraging children to become managers in their own health care.