LOCUS OF CONTROL ORIENTATION AND LEVEL - Drake University

Pickett and Clum (1982) conducted a study to investigate the
effectiveness of using psychological interventions in the treatment of
postsurgical pain and the anxiety of the patient undergoing a cholecy~tectorn~.
They investigated and classified the orientations of these individuals using the
Rotter's LOC measure and searched for data that wouEd support the selection of
one technique over another depending on the patients' LOC. The patients were
exposed to one of four interventions prior to surgery: relaxation training,
relaxation information, cognitive distraction, and no treatment control. It was
hypothesized that relaxation information as a cognitive distraction would be
more effective with internally controlled individuals than with externally
controlled individuals. Relaxation training was hypothesized.to be more
effective with externals. Pain was measured using the McGilf Pain
Questionnaire (source not given), an estimate of pain at its worse. State anxiety
was measured by the Affective Reactions Questionnaire (Pickett & Clurn,
1982). Data were also collected concerning the total number of analgesic
medications used. The study did not demonstrate that these psychologic
interventions were effective in reduction of postoperative pain. The study did
support the use of cognitive approaches for patients with an internal LOC.
Summary of Literature Review
The review of Literature revealed information that demonstrated
statistically significant differences in pain experiences depending on a person's
LOC. Researchers who have studied chronic pain have built a data base that
enables them to predict and support these differences and put them to use in the
treatment of chronic pain. Chronic pain treatment has actually moved away