Social support and locus of control as correlates of UK nurses' health-related behaviours.
Despite the number of studies describing nurses' health-related behaviours, few have investigated psychosocial factors that influence these behaviours. To investigate the relationship of social support and locus of control to nurses' health-related behaviours. A cross-sectional survey was used. 114 nurses' attending tertiary level education courses in London and Essex. The Health and Behaviour Survey, The Six Item Social Support Questionnaire and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale. Social support did not significantly relate to any health-related behaviour except eating fruit. Subjects high on internal locus of control also significantly reported eating less red meat, eating three meals per day on a regular basis and eating fewer between meal snacks. Locus of control is more strongly associated with United Kingdom nurses' health-related behaviours than social support. Given the empirical links between nurses' health-related behaviours and their tendency to counsel clients about health issues, attempts to improve nurses' internal locus of control may ultimately improve their health promotion role.