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RESEARCH PRODUCT

The mediating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between health locus of control and life satisfaction: A moderator role of movement disability

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Abstract Background Self-efficacy and health locus of control are widely recognized as psychological factors related to life satisfaction. However, little is known about the mechanisms of the decrease in life satisfaction in disabled people. Objective/Hypothesis The aim of the present study was to clarify the relationship between health locus of control (HLOC) and life satisfaction in people with acquired mobility impairment in comparison to a non-disabled sample, and to specify how self-efficacy interacts with these components. We hypothesized that self-efficacy is a mediator between HLOC and life satisfaction, and that disability moderates this relationship. Methods The cross-sectional study included a total of 120 participants (including 50% women) aged between 18 and 63 years (M = 33.33, SD = 9.55), and consisting equally of disabled and non-disabled persons. Data were collected using the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC), and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). Results Consistent with most previous research, the results of this study indicate that life satisfaction decreased in persons with an acquired mobility impairment when compared to non-disabled participants. The study indicates that the GSES fully mediates the relationship between SWLS and all three scales of the MHLC: internal (IHLC), powerful others (PHLC), and chance (CHLC). In addition, Movement disability moderates the PHLC–GSES and CHLC–GSES relationships. Conclusions The findings suggest that people with movement disability may construct life satisfaction differently than persons without disability. Self-efficacy should be a target in therapy to improve life satisfaction in people with mobility impairment.