OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of control beliefs in the relationship between SES and health. METHODS: Two different aspects of perceived control - contingency beliefs (locus of control) and competence beliefs (self-efficacy) - were examined in relation to subjective SES and physical health outcomes (subjective health, functional impairment, chronic health problems, and acute health symptoms) in a diverse sample of undergraduates (N=231). RESULTS: Low self-efficacy was directly associated with poorer health outcomes and mediated the relationship between low SES and health, whereas locus of control did not. CONCLUSIONS: Health behavior interventions targeting generalized competence beliefs may benefit individuals from low SES backgrounds.
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Greene et al. (2012) studied this question.
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