Confirmatory factor analysis of the Persian version of the multidimensional health locus of control scale - Form A

Background Aim: Health locus of control (HLC) is a construct that refers to how person’s beliefs influence on his/her health. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and construct validity of multidimensional HLC (MHLC) scale in a representative Iranian samples. Methods Materials: This cross-sectional study was done among 881 subjects over 15 years old in Bandar Abbas, in the south of Iran through cluster sampling. Translated Persian version of MHLC questionnaire was administered to participants. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to compare three different models. Multiple groups CFA were conducted to examine the measurement equivalence across gender (390 men and 391 women) in EQS software. Reliability assessment was done by Cronbach’s α coefficient in SPSS v.16 software. Results: Based on CFA, 18-item with three correlated factor had good fit (goodness-of-fit index = 0.92 and comparative fit index = 0.9). The results established full configural, metric, and scalar invariance across gender. Cronbach’s α for subscales was ranged from 0.65 to 0.74. Conclusion: Eighteen items Persian version of MHLC scale in three oblique subscales was introduced as a valid and reliable tool for assessing HLC among the general population in Iran. Furthermore, it is derived that the MHLC was full invariant across gender.