The Role of Health Locus of Control in Predicting Depression Symptoms in a Sample of Iranian Older Adults with Chronic Diseases

Introduction and purpose: The aim of this research was to predict depression and general health based on health locus of control in older adults with chronic diseases.Materials and Methods: This correlation study used convenience sampling method to collect 100 older adults living in Shiraz city.Research instruments included General Health Questionnaire, Geriatric Depression Scale and Health Locus of Control Questionnaire.To analyze the data, multiple regression methods were applied using SPPS (version 17).Findings: Regression analysis showed that internal control (β= 0.41, p< 0.000) and believe in God (β= -0.20, p< 0.03) significantly predicted general health.Additionally, our findings showed that depression can be significantly predicted by internal control (β= 0.37, p< 0.000) and believe in God (β= -0.20, p< 0.04). Conclusion:According to our findings, the two components of Internal control and believe in God, in health locus of control variable's, play an important role in predicting general health status and depressive symptoms among older adults.