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Locus of control, health and healthcare utilization

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  • Kesavayuth, Dusanee
  • Poyago-Theotoky, Joanna
  • Tran, Dai Binh
  • Zikos, Vasileios

Abstract

In this paper we analyze the importance of individuals' locus of control for their health and healthcare use. We estimate the direct effects of locus of control. We also examine whether the effects of locus of control on health and healthcare use are explained by lifestyle choices and social capital. Our analysis reveals that individuals with an internal locus of control have better self-assessed health as well as physical and mental health. They rely less on medical care, both preventive and curative. Locus of control predicts health through different pathways, including social capital and health behaviors related to smoking, drinking and physical activity. Similar pathways can explain the link between locus of control and curative care but not necessarily preventive care. Interventions considering not only the direct but also the indirect effects of locus of control are promising avenues for promoting better health.

Suggested Citation

  • Kesavayuth, Dusanee & Poyago-Theotoky, Joanna & Tran, Dai Binh & Zikos, Vasileios, 2020. "Locus of control, health and healthcare utilization," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 227-238.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecmode:v:86:y:2020:i:c:p:227-238
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econmod.2019.06.014
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrew E Clark & Rong Zhu, 2023. "Taking Back Control? Quasi-Experimental Evidence on the Impact of Retirement on Locus of Control," Working Papers halshs-04335808, HAL.
    2. Rannveig Sigurvinsdottir & Ingibjorg E. Thorisdottir & Haukur Freyr Gylfason, 2020. "The Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health: The Role of Locus on Control and Internet Use," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-15, September.
    3. Bonsang, Eric & Costa-Font, Joan, 2022. "Buying control? ‘Locus of control’ and the uptake of supplementary health insurance," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 476-489.
    4. Greene, William & Harris, Mark N. & Knott, Rachel & Rice, Nigel, 2023. "Reporting heterogeneity in modeling self-assessed survey outcomes," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    5. Prakash, Kushneel & Awaworyi Churchill, Sefa & Smyth, Russell, 2022. "Are you puffing your Children's future away? Energy poverty and childhood exposure to passive smoking," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    6. Dusanee Kesavayuth & Prompong Shangkhum & Vasileios Zikos, 2022. "Well-Being and Physical Health: A Mediation Analysis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(6), pages 2849-2879, August.
    7. Yang, Liyuan & Zikos, Vasileios, 2022. "Healthy mind in healthy body: Identifying the causal effect of mental health on physical health," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
    8. Bucciol, Alessandro & Trucchi, Serena, 2021. "Locus of control and saving: The role of saving motives," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    9. Fanghella, Valeria & Faure, Corinne & Guetlein, Marie-Charlotte & Schleich, Joachim, 2023. "Locus of control and other-regarding behavior: Experimental evidence from a large heterogeneous sample," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    10. Dusanee Kesavayuth & Robert E Rosenman & Vasileios Zikos, 2022. "Leaving the labor market: Exit routes, personality traits and well-being," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(3), pages 1-20, March.
    11. Ponzo, Michela & Scoppa, Vincenzo, 2021. "Does demand for health services depend on cost-sharing? Evidence from Italy," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    12. Yang, Liyuan & Zikos, Vasileios, 2023. "Mental health and smoking behavior," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    13. Muhammad S. Tahir & Abdullahi D. Ahmed, 2021. "Australians’ Financial Wellbeing and Household Debt: A Panel Analysis," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-14, October.
    14. Awaworyi Churchill, Sefa & Smyth, Russell, 2021. "Locus of control and energy poverty," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    15. Botha, Ferdi & Dahmann, Sarah C., 2022. "Locus of Control, Self-Control, and Health Outcomes," IZA Discussion Papers 15306, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    16. Dusanee Kesavayuth & Prompong Shangkhum & Vasileios Zikos, 2022. "Building physical health: What is the role of mental health?," Bulletin of Economic Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 74(2), pages 457-483, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Locus of control; Health; Healthcare utilization; HILDA;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • D90 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - General

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