Effects of optimism/pessimism and locus of control on disability and quality of life in Parkinson's disease☆
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.
aDivision of Gerontology, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
bDepartment of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
cDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
Correspondence 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.
☆ 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 If accepted, it will not be published elsewhere in the same form, in English or in any other language, without the written consent of the publisher.
ABSTRACT