Parkinsonism & Related Disorders
Volume 15, Issue 9 , Pages 665-669, 5 November 2009

Effects of optimism/pessimism and locus of control on disability and quality of life in Parkinson's disease☆

  • Ann L. Gruber-Baldini

      Affiliations

    • Division of Gerontology, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence to: Division of Gerontology, Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 660 W. Redwood Street, Suite 200 Howard Hall, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. Tel.: +1 410 706 2444; fax: +1 410 706 4434.
    • ,
  • Jian Ye

      Affiliations

    • Division of Gerontology, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
    • ,
  • Karen E. Anderson

      Affiliations

    • Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
    • Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
    • ,
  • Lisa M. Shulman

      Affiliations

    • Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

Received 1 August 2008; received in revised form 6 February 2009; accepted 25 March 2009.

Abstract 

Purpose

To assess optimism/pessimism and locus of control in a sample of Parkinson's disease patients and to evaluate their impact on disability and health-related quality of life.

Methods

99 patients with Parkinson's disease completed the Life Orientation Test, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control, Older Americans Resource and Services Activities of Daily Living Subscale, and Short Form-12 Health Status Survey. Disease stage and severity measures were completed by movement disorder specialists. Correlations and multivariate regressions compared optimism/pessimism and locus of control with disability and health-related quality of life.

Results

Higher optimism and less pessimism were associated with better mental health quality of life. Greater internal locus of control was associated with less disability. These results remained significant when controlling for disease severity.

Conclusions

Low optimism or high pessimism is associated with reduced quality of life in Parkinson's disease. Patients with less internal locus of control have greater disability. Interventions that promote personal control and positive attitudes may assist in reducing disability and improving quality of life in Parkinson's disease.

Keywords: Locus of control, Optimism, Pessimism, Personality, Disability, Quality of life, Parkinson's Disease

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

☆ Submission statement: This paper has not been published previously and it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. If accepted, it will not be published elsewhere in the same form, in English or in any other language, without the written consent of the publisher.

PII: S1353-8020(09)00080-7

doi:10.1016/j.parkreldis.2009.03.005

Parkinsonism & Related Disorders
Volume 15, Issue 9 , Pages 665-669, 5 November 2009

Article Tools