A New Measure of Weight Locus of Control: The Dieting Beliefs Scale

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1 JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT, 1990, 54(1 & 2), Copyright 1990, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. A New Measure of Weight Locus of Control: The Dieting Beliefs Scale Stephen Stotland and David C. Zuroff McGill University, Montreal This article describes the construction and preliminary validation of a new scale of weight locus of control, the Dieting Beliefs Scale. The 16-item scale demonstrated moderate internal consistency and high test-retest reliability in a sample of undergraduate women. Principal-components analysis suggested three factors. The three factors were interpretable and had distinct relations with a variety of weight-related and psychological variables. The results suggest that weight locus of control is a multidimensional construct, and they provide a possible explanation for the inconsistent findings concerning the relation between weight locus of control and dieting success. Implications for the study of dieting relapse and for the construction of treatment programs are discussed. Internal locus of control (Rotter, 1966) has been proposed by several researchers as a potential predictor of success in weight-loss programs. Unfortunately, the research findings offer a rather confusing picture of the relation, with some results positive (Blach &. Ross, 1975; Ross, Kalucy, &. Morton, 1983) and others negative (Gormally, Rardin, & Black, 1980; Tobias & MacDonald, 1977). Several reasons may be offered for this state of affairs, including: (a) the general neglect of important variables specified by social learning theory other than locus of control, (b) the use of general as opposed to weight-specific measures of locus of control, (c) the use of locus of control measures of questionable reliability and validity. An additional explanation for the inconsistent results in this area concerns the nature of weight locus of control. Previous research has treated it as a unidimensional construct, defined as internal versus external beliefs about the control of weight. Research concerning both general (Reid & Ware, 1974) and health locus of control (K. A. Wallston, B. S. Wallston, &. DeVellis, 1978) has discovered a multidimensional structure, and it is possible that the same is true of weight locus of control. Several researchers have reported a significant relation between locus of

2 192 STOTLAND AND ZUROFF control and weight loss. Balcb and Ross (1975) evaluated tbe relation between Rotter's Internal-External (I-E) Locus of Control Scale and outcome in 34 female participants in a 9-week bebavioral weigbt loss program. Significant correlations were found between the Rotter I-E scale and botb program adherence and weight loss. Ross et al. (1983) administered the Reid and Ware (1974) revision of the Rotter I-E scale to 133 women undergoing jaw wiring for massive obesity. Ross et al. revised the scale to include several items specifically related to beliefs concerning locus of control of weight loss. A factor analysis of the scale suggested a three-factor solution, composed of a large, generalized Locus of Control factor; a Self-Control factor; and a Social Systems Control factor. These three factors were considered separately in the prediction of weight loss, weight maintenance, and treatment compliance. Results showed that scores on the General Locus of Control factor predicted treatment compliance and weight maintenance. No relation was found between this factor and weight loss during treatment, which the authors suggested may have been due to the specific controls in the weight-loss phase imposed by jaw wiring. Neither of tbe other two scales was useful in predicting any of the outcome criteria. The five weight-specific items did not load on any one of the factored scales, but were spread across all three of them. The lack of cohesion of these items would tend to limit their predictive validity. This study, however, suggested tbat a general measure of locus of control may be significantly related to treatment outcome. In contrast to these findings, several authors have reported no relation between locus of control and weigbt change. B. S. Wallston, K. A. Wallston, Kaplan, and Maides (1976) assigned overweight women to either a self-directed or a group (externally directed) program. The conditions differed in the manner of dissemination of information about weigbt control strategies and in the amount of contact with the experimenters. Both I-E locus of control and health locus of control (HLC) were assessed. A significant interaction between HLC and treatment condition was found for subjects' ratings of satisfaction with the treatment program, such that satisfaction was higher wben program and subject type were consistent. No such relation was found for I-E classification. No significant main effects or interactions were found, for either scale, wben weight loss was considered. Anotber negative finding was observed by Gormally et al. (1980). They measured I-E locus of control at pretreatment in 40 female participants in a 16-week bebavioral treatment program. No relation was found between the I-E dimension and weight loss. Tobias and MacDonald (1977) administered the I-E scale and a five-item weight-specific locus of control scale to 96 undergraduate women participating in one of five weight-loss treatment groups. Only the bibliotherapy and bebavioral contract groups achieved significant weight losses. No differences between

3 DIETING BELIEFS SCALE 193 groups in locus of control (either scale) were found at either pretreatment or posttreatment. Only the group in which treatment was designed specifically to inculcate beliefs that deficits in willpower and effort are primary causes of obesity showed a shift to more internal weight locus of control beliefs; however, this group was not successful in losing weight. The authors concluded that locus of control is not important in determining treatment success. However, two criticisms of this conclusion can be made. First, the unknown psychometric properties of their weight locus of controls scale preclude definite conclusions about the construct itself. Furthermore, Tobias and MacDonald's analyses did not address the important issue of locus of control as a predictor variable. It is possible that a correlational analysis of the relation between locus of control and weight loss would have produced a significant result. In other words, within-group differences in weight loss might have been associated with differences in locus of control. A study by Saltzer (1982) is notable for being the first to report information about the reliability and convergent validity of a scale designed to measure weight locus of control. Saltzer examined the ability of a four-item Weight Locus of Control Scale (WLOC) to predict weight loss, relative to general measures of locus of control (The Rotter I-E scale), and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC; K. A. Wallston et al, 1978). The scale demonstrated moderate test-retest reliability in an undergraduate sample. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) appeared relatively low, however. Saltzer suggested that this may have been attributable to the fact that the scale had only four items. The scale was shown to correlate significantly, but only to a moderate degree, with general locus of control scales, thus establishing some degree of convergent validity. Finally, the scale was found to be uncorrelated with a measure of social desirability. Saltzer (1982) then assessed the relations among WLOC, MHLC, and weight loss in 115 female patients in a medical weight-reduction program. In addition to locus of control, a value survey was included. It was hypothesized that internals with a high value of health or physical appearance would be more successful than externals with similar values. Program success was defined in terms of an individual's ability to achieve her weight-loss goal. The magnitude of the correlation between initial weight-loss goal and posttreatment weight was compared across groups of subjects selected to be high on health or physical appearance and either high or low on WLOC. The correlation was significantly higher in the group of internals with high value on health or physical appearance than in the group of externals with similar values. It was concluded that given a high value of weight loss, WLOC is a significant predictor of success (i.e., the ability to achieve one's weight-loss goal). This study seems to provide some evidence of the value of a specific measure of weight locus of control. Criticisms can be made concerning the questionable

4 194 STOTLAND AND ZUROFF reliability of the scale, and the unorthodox measure of outcome used in the second study. One wonders about the relation of WLOC and weight changes defined in terms of percentage overweight, percentage body fat, or other outcome measures typically used in obesity treatment studies. The research reviewed so far can be summarized as follows. First, the relation between generalized locus of control and weight loss is inconsistent. Furthermore, the reasons why only some studies find a significant relation have not been identified. One possibility is suggested by Saltzer (1982), who found that WLOC was a much better predictor when the value of weight loss was considered. Rotter (1975) suggested that the failure to consider value is the most frequent conceptual problem on the part of locus of control investigators. A second possibility is that generalized measures of locus of control are too broad to make good predictions about weight loss (cf. Rotter, 1975). Generalized locus of control allows prediction of a wide range of behaviors, but at a low level. Rotter suggested that when one is seeking to predict behavior for a practical purpose, the cost of developing a domain-specific measure may be justified. An additional consideration is that the importance of generalized expectancy in determining behavior decreases as an individual's experience in the situation increases. The great familiarity of most overweight people with dieting suggests that more specific measures of expectancy may be necessary to predict dieting outcome. Three studies reviewed here included weight-specific locus of control scales (Ross et al, 1983; Saltzer, 1982; Tobias & MacDonald, 1977). Saltzer's seems to be the best scale developed thus far, demonstrating superiority in predicting outcome to health locus of control and generalized locus of control. However, the WLOC had low internal consistency. This may be due to its length, but it raises questions about whether weight locus of control may be a multidimensional construct. This article describes the construction of a new measure of weight locus of control, its reliability and dimensional structure, and preliminary construct validity data. To establish the construct validity of our Dieting Beliefs Scale (DBS), we examined its relations with weight, dieting behavior, and relevant psychological variables. In general, predictions were based on the idea that higher scores on the DBS (i.e., more internal beliefs) would be related to reports of success in weight control. It was predicted that DBS scores would be significantly and negatively related with weight, the self-perception of having a weight problems, and binge eating. We assumed that heavier individuals and those with problem eating behaviors have had the experience of not being successful in exerting control in this area. Significant positive relations with DBS were predicted for tendency to diet, retrospective reports of weight loss, restrained eating style, self-esteem, and WLOC. A nonsignificant relation between DBS and social desirability was expected.

5 DIETING BELIEPS SCALE 195 Scale Information METHOD Following Rotter's (1966) definition of locus of control, weight locus of control was defined as the expectancy that one can affect or control, at least in part, one's own weight. The belief that one's own behavior or attributes determine one's weight is described as a belief in internal weight locus of control. The belief that one's weight is due to factors outside his or her own control, such as luck, genes, fate, or social support, is labeled a belief in exterruxl weight locus of control. Four of the items on the DBS were patterned after those on the Health Locus of Control (HLC) Scale (B. S. Wallston et al., 1976). The 16 items are listed in Table 1. Items were balanced to include equal numbers of internal and external items, to control for acquiescence bias. The scale was constructed as if it were measuring TABLE 1 Dieting Beliefs Scale Please respond to the following statements by indicating how well each statement describes your beliefs. Place a number from 1 (not at all descriptive of my beliefs) to 6 (very descriptive of my beliefs) in the space provided before each statement Ç Not at all Very descriptive of descriptive of my beliefs my beliefs 1. By restricting what one eats, one can lose weight. 2. When people gain weight it is because of something they have done or not done. * 3. A thin body is largely a result of genetics. * 4. No matter how much effort one puts into dieting, one's weight tends to stay about the same. * 5. One's weight is, to a great extent, controlled by fate. * 6. There is so much fattening food around that losing weight is almost impossible. * 7. Most people can only diet successfully when other people push them to do it. 8. Having a slim and fit body has very little to do with luck. 9. People who are overweight lack the willpower necessary to conttol their weight. 10. Each of us is directly responsible for our weight. 11. Losing weight is simply a matter of wanting to do it and applying yourself. * 12. People who are more than a couple of pounds overweight need professional help to lose weight. 13. By increasing the amount one exercises, one can lose weight. * 14. Most people are at their present weight because that is the weight level that is natural for them. 15. Unsuccessful dieting is due to lack of effort. * 16. In order to lose weight people must get a lot of encouragement from others. Note: Items labeled with an asterisk (*) are scored in the reverse direction.

6 196 STOTLAND AND ZUROFF a unidimensional but broad construct. The dimensional structure was examined by means of principal-components analysis. Respondents are asked to indicate how well each statement describes their own beliefs, using a 6-point scale ranging from not at all descriptive of my beliefs (1) to very descriptive of my beliefs (6). The scale is scored in the internal direction, so that higher scores represent more internal weight locus of control. Scores can range from 16 to 96. In our sample, the scale mean was 67.5, with a standard deviation of 8.7. Scores ranged from 45 to 86. Subjects One hundred undergraduate women enrolled in psychology classes at McGill University volunteered to participate in the study. Subjects were asked if they would be willing to complete several questionnaires concerned with "dieting beliefs." Subjects were not selected for dieting status. Inspection of Table 2 reveals that this sample of college women was generally of normal weight. Subjects' self-reported weights and heights were used to obtain a measure of Body Mass Index (BMI, kg/m^; Keys, Fidanza, Karvonen, Kimurag, &. Taylor, 1972). Subjects' previous weight loss was defined as the difference between self-reported current and maximum BMI. Only 3 women were overweight (BMI > 25.0), and only one could be considered obese (BMI > 27.3). Thirteen percent of the sample had been overweight at their highest reported weight and 2 subjects' highest weight placed them in the obese range. Despite the generally normal weight of the sample, a large proportion had engaged in weight-loss diets. Twenty-three percent of subjects were currently dieting, and 69% had engaged in previous diets. Procedure Subjects were tested in small groups of 3 to 5 women and asked to complete several questionnaires, including the DBS, questions about age, weight, height, and dieting history, the Restraint Scale (Herman &. Polivy, 1980), a self-esteem questionnaire (Rosenberg, 1965), the Binge Scale (Hawkins <St Clement, 1980), the four-item WLOC scale (Saltzer, 1982), and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (Crowne &. Marlowe, 1960). Self-perception of having a weight problem was assessed by the question, "Do you see yourself as having a M Current SD TABLE 2 and Highest Reported Min Max BMI '% BMÍ > 25 % BMI > 27.3 BMI Highest BMI

7 DIETING BELIEFS SCALE 197 weigbt problem?" Subjects responded on a 10-point scale, ranging from not at all (1) to serious problem (10). Confidence in reaching goal weigbt was measured on a 10-point scale ranging from not at all confident (1) to very confident (10). Self-rating of success at previous dieting attempts was measured on a 10-point scale ranging from not at all successful (1) to very successful (10). To examine the stability of the DBS, subjects were asked to fill out the DBS a second time about 6 weeks later. Forty-three subjects who could be located and were willing to participate were included in this analysis. Scale Reliability RESULTS Item-total correlations (with the item removed from the total) and coefficient alpha were computed to examine internal consistency. Of the 16 items, 13 bad item-total correlations of.2 or greater. Cronbach's alpha was.68. Deleting the four items witb lowest item-total correlations improved alpha only slightly (Cronbach's alpha =.69), so all items were retained for further analyses. Test-retest reliability over approximately 6 weeks (N = 43) was.81. Factor Analysis A principal-components factor analysis conducted to examine the dimensional structure of the DBS. Three factors with eigenvalues greater tban 1.0 were retained and subjected to varimax rotation. These three factors together accounted for 46.2% of the variance (Factor 1, 18.4%, Factor 2, 15.7%; Factor 3, 12.1%). The factor loadings of the three rotated factors are presented in Table 3. Six items bad factor loadings greater tban.40 for the first factor. These items appeared to reflect beliefs that weight is under the control of internal factors (e.g., willpower, effort, responsibility). Tbe five items loading above.40 on tbe second factor concerned beliefs about properties of the individual that are beyond his or her control (e.g., luck, genes, fate). Four items had factor weights exceeding.40 for the third factor. These items appeared to reflect beliefs that weight control is a function of environmental factors (e.g., encouragement from other people, fattening food). Thus, both Factors 2 and 3 appeared to measure external beliefs, but items loading highly on Factor 2 included aspects of the individual outside her control (e.g., genes), whereas those loading highly on Factor 3 described uncontrollable circumstances outside of the individual (e.g., encouragement firom others). It should be noted tbat because of the scoring format, high scores on Factors 2 and 3 represent a rejection of the importance of external factors.

8 198 STOTLAND AND ZUROFF TABLE 3 DBS Factor Loadings After Varimax Rotation Item Factor I Factor 2 Factor , * ,17.72* *,13 6 -,15.27,52* ,78* 8.41*.48* * * * , * -.35, *.41* 15.73* ,08,08.69* Note: Items loading greater than.40 on a factor are indicated by an asterisk. Relation to Saltzer's (1982) WLOC Scale The DBS total score correlated.62 with the four-item WLOC scale. WLOC also correlated.30 with Factor 1,.61 with Factor 2, and.22 with Factor 3. All correlations were significant (p <.01). Because WLOC correlates most strongly with Factor 2, it is reasonable to assume that WLOC primarily measures the rejection of uncontrollable factors within the individual as causes of being overweight. Relations to Weight-Related Variables The relations between DBS total and factor scores, WLOC, and weight-related variables are shown in Table 4. DBS total and WLOC have similar patterns of correlations, demonstrating significant relations with BMI, dieting, lifetime dieting, and self-ratings of success at previous dieting. WLOC is also significantly related to retrospective reports of weight loss and confidence in one's ability to reach current weight-loss goals. In examining the relations to factor scores, it appears that Factor 1 is related to present weight (BMI) and currently being on a diet, whereas Factors 2 and 3 are related to ratings of previous dieting success and current confidence in reaching weight-loss goals. Factor 2 is also significantly related to retrospective reports of weight loss. The significant

9 DIETING BELIEFS SCALE 199 TABLE 4 Relations Between Weight Locus of ContTol and Weight/Dieting Variables Variafcie WLOG DBS Totai Factor I Factor 2 Factor 3 BMP Change in BMI' Dieting (currently)*" Dieting (lifetime)*" Gonfidence in reaching goal weight' Success at previous diets'*.30**.20*.18.35*.51*.33**.27**.16.29**.41**.08.25*.33**.09.25*.20* * ** *.35** n = 99. \ = 100. 'n = 23. ""n = 69. *p <.05. **p <.01. relation between Factor 1 and BMI suggests that the increased tendency to diet associated with this factor may be related more to dissatisfaction with one's weight than to confidence in succeeding at weight loss. Relations to Psychological Variables The relations between DBS total and factor scores, WLOC, and psychological variables are presented in Table 5. It was predicted that weight locus of control would be related to greater experience and success in dieting, less binge eating, and higher self-esteem. The results partially support these predictions but are clarified by an examination of DBS factors. WLOC and DBS total are significantly related to the self-perception of degree of weight problem, whereas only Variafcie TABLE 5 Relations Between Weight Locus of Control and Psychological Variables WLOG DBS Totai Factor 1 Factor 2 Fartor 3 Self-perception of weight problem" Restraint*" Restraint factors Diet Goncern*" Weight Fluctuation' Self-esteem*" Binge eating** Social desirability'.29** **.03.29**.29**.22*.25* **.28**.14.28** * * 'n = 99. ""n = 95. 'n = 91. ''n = 100. 'n = 90. *p <.05. **p <.01.

10 200 STOTLAND AND ZUROFF Factor 1 is related to this variable. DBS total and Factor 1 are significantly related to restraint. Factor 1 is also related to the Weight Fluctuation factor of the Restraint scale (r =.28, p <.01). WLOC and Factor 3 are significantly related to self-esteem. Response to the question, "Do you ever binge eat (i.e., eat in an excessive uncontrolled manner)?" was significantly related to Factor 1 (r =.21, p <.05). Thus the pattern that emerges when the factors are examined is that Factor 1 is related to negative expectancies and experiences with weight control, whereas Factors 2 and 3 are related to positive expectancies. An additional finding was that social desirability was significantly related to WLOC (r =.29, p <.01) but not to DBS. DISCUSSION The 16-item DBS demonstrated moderate internal consistency and high test-retest reliability. Factor analysis suggested the presence of three readily interpretable factors, an internal factor and two external factors. The DBS correlated highly with Saltzer's (1982) four-item WLOC scale; Factor 2 was particularly highly correlated with the WLOC. The global measures of weight locus of control, the WLOC, and the new Dieting Beliefs Scale, were significantly related to several weight-related and psychological variables in college women. More internal scores on the WLOC were positively related to body mass, likelihood of being on a diet, confidence in reaching goal weight, retrospective reports of weight loss, self-perception of success at previous diets, self-perception of weight problem, self-esteem, and social desirability. Individuals with higher internal scores on this scale thus perceived a need to lose weight and reported confidence in their ability to do so. This attitude is consistent with reports of higher general self-esteem. The positive correlation with social desirability suggests that the weight-control beliefs represented in the WLOC describe a culturally approved attitude: That is, women are expected to demonstrate control over eating and weight. However, WLOC demonstrated some ability to predict dieting success in a previous study (Saltzer, 1982) and was related to self-reports of previous dieting success in our study. Internal weight locus of control on the DBS was related to body mass, dieting, self-perception of success at previous diets, self-perception of weight problem, and cognitive restraint. High scorers on this scale appear to be more concerned about their weight and more active in attempting to control it. Global measures of weight locus of control thus appear to reflect a high level of concern with one's weight. A difference between WLOC and the DBS is that WLOC is more related to confidence in weight control and to reports of previous weight loss. The two scales appear to be measuring somewhat different aspects of the weight-locus-of-control construct. The difference between the scales is clarified by an examination of the factor structure of the DBS.

11 DIETING BELIEFS SCALE 201 Examination of relations between BMI and the DBS factors indicated that only the relation with Factor 1 was significant. Thus, heavier subjects were more likely to endorse internal beliefs about weight. Factor 1 also demonstrated significant correlations with tendency to diet (present and lifetime), and with the Weight Fluctuation factor of the Restraint scale. This suggests that individuals scoring highly on Factor 1 have had more experience than most in losing (and gaining) weight. Factor 1 also correlated significantly with the self-perception of having a weight problem and the tendency to binge eat. Those scoring high on this factor were heavier and had negative feelings about their weight, which may have contributed to the feeling that they "should" diet and "should" be able to control their weight and to the adoption of internal beliefs about weight control. Interestingly, Factor 1 was not related to ratings of success at previous diets or to confidence in reaching goal weight. Thus, Factor 1 was related to the tendency to diet, periodic fluctuations in weight, and negative feelings about one's weight but not to success at dieting or weight control. Factor 2, which seemed to represent the rejection of factors within the individual but outside volitional control, was not related to BMI or dieting tendency; however, it was significantly and positively related to ratings of success at previous diets and to retrospective reports of weight loss. Factor 3 appeared to refiect the rejection of the belief that external factors are responsible for weight. This factor was not related to BMI or dieting tendency but was significantly related to confidence in reaching goal weight, ratings of success at previous diets, and self-esteem. Thus, Factors 2 and 3 had fairly similar patterns of association with the other variables of concern. In contrast to Factor 1, these factors seem to refiect positive expectancies and experiences in weight control. Unidimensional measures of weight locus of control suggested that internals were more positive about the prospects for weight control. This is consistent with the view of previous authors who attempted to predict weight-loss success with locus of control. That line of research produced an unsatisfying pattern of results and little evidence that locus of control was a useful predictor of success at weight loss. Our results suggest that weight locus of control is best thought of as a multidimensional construct. Future research attempting to predict weight loss should examine its relation with the three factors of the DBS. It appears that certain types of weight-related locus of control beliefs are associated with negative self-image and "guilty" (though not necessarily successful) dieting, whereas other beliefs are related to positive expectancies about dieting. This suggests that treatment programs for obesity should attempt to modify extreme internal weight locus of control beliefs, because these beliefs may be related to the kind of perfectionistic approach to dieting thought to predispose one to dietary breakdown (cf. Polivy &. Herman, 1987). In addition, treatment programs should encourage the patterns of beliefs refiected in Factors 2 and 3. Some limitation of the present findings should be mentioned. The factor

12 202 STOTLAND AND ZUROFF structure of the DBS needs to be cross validated in an additional sample. It will also be important to examine, prospectively, its ability to predict dieting behavior and success in weight control. Finally, it is unknown whether these findings will generalize outside a college population. Our sample was composed primarily of normal-weight women. The high prevalence of dieting in this sample, consistent witb previous findings (e.g., Dwyer &. Mayer, 1970), appears to be more related to tbe self-perception of being overweight (probably culturally determined) than to actually being overweight. Whether the DBS will demonstrate comparable psycbometric properties and relations witb dieting and psycbological variables in an overweight sample remains to be investigated. REFERENCES Balch, P., & Ross, A. W. (1975). Predicting success in weight loss as a function of locus of control: A unidimensional and multidimensional approach. Joumci of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 43, 119. Crowne, D. P., &. Marlowe, D. (1960). A new scale of social desirability independent of psychopathology. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 24, Dwyer, J. T., &L Mayer, J. (1970). Potential dieters: Who are they? Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 56, Gormally, J., Rardin, D., & Black, S. (1980). Correlates of successful response to a behavioral weight control clinic. Journal of Couaseling Psychology, 27, Hawkins, R. C, & Clement, P. (1980). Development and construct validation of a self-report measure of binge eating tendencies. Addictive Behaviors, 5, Herman, C. P., & Polivy, J. (1980). Restrained eating. In A. J. Stunkard (Ed.), Obesity (pp ). Philadelphia: Saunders. Keys, A., Fidanza, F., Karvonen, M. J., Kimura, N., &. Taylor, H. L. (1972). Indices of relative weight and obesity. Journal of Chronic Diseases, 25, Polivy, J., & Herman, e. P. (1987). Diagnosis and treatment of normal eating. Jourrwl of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55, Reid, D. W., &. Ware, E. E. (1974). Multidimensionality of internal-external control: Implications for past and future research. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Sciences, 5, Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society arui the adolescent self-irrwge. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. Ross, M. W., Kalucy, R. S., &. Morton, J. E. (1983). Locus of control in obesity: Predictors of success in a jaw-wiring programme. British Jourrwl of Medical Psychology, 53, Rotter, J. B. (1966). Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psychological Monograi)hs, 80(1, Whole No. 609). Rotter, J. B. (1975). Some problems and misconceptions related to the construct of internal versus external control of reinforcement, journal of Consulting arui Clinical Psychology, 43, Saltzer, E. B. (1982). The Weight Locus of Gontrol (WLOO) Scale: A specific measure of obesity research. Journal of Personality Assessment, 46, Tobias, L. L., &1. MacDonald, M. L. (1977). Internal locus of control and weight loss: An insufficient condition. Jourrwl of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 45, Wallston, B. S., Wallston, K. A., Kaplan, G. D., & Maides, S. A. (1976). Development and validation of the health locus of control (HLC) scale. Jourrud of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 44,

13 DIETING BELIEFS SCALE 203 Wallston, K, A,, Wallston, B. S,, Si. DeVellis, R. (1978), Development ofthe multidimensional health locus of control (MHLC) scales. Health Education Monographs, 6, , Stephen Stotland Department of Psychology McGill University 1205 Docteur Penfield Avenue Montreal, Quebec H3A lbl Canada Received May 10, 1988 Revised August 24, 1988

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