Health Locus of Control and Quality of Life in Post-Stroke Patients in Aceh, Indonesia

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between the health locus of control dimensions and the quality of life of post-stroke patients in Aceh. METHODOLOGY: This study used a cross-sectional design involving 120 post-stroke outpatients selected using a total sampling technique. Data were collected using the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLCS) and the Stroke Specific Quality of Life (SS-QoL) instrument. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression tests. RESULTS: This study showed that powerful health locus of control (p = 0.000), internal health locus of control (p = 0.003), and chance health locus of control (p = 0.004) have a significant relationship with the quality of life of post-stroke patients. The most dominant factor was the powerful health locus of control (p = 0.000; OR = 4.111), closely related to the patient's quality of life. CONCLUSION: Powerful health locus of control is the most dominant factor influencing the quality of life in post-stroke patients. Cognitive-based approaches and health education interventions can be implemented to enhance the powerful health locus of control in post-stroke patients.