Internal Locus of Control

Locus of Control

 

As occupational therapists, one of the first things we do is try to understand more about our client’s through an occupational profile. This can help to understand what is meaningful to them and what might be motivating to them throughout their rehabilitation journey. We might learn about a client’s values, interests, family members, and their environmental setup. In doing this interview we may be able to observe whether the client is an optimist or pessimist, and whether they are outgoing or more reserved based on how much they are willing to share. All of these factors will shape how we interact, treat and design interventions for our clients. 

 

Locus of control was a new term for me. This is another area of personality that we must be aware of when evaluating and treating our future clients. In determining whether a client has an internal or external locus of control, we can understand much of their volition for participation in intervention. For example, clients who have a strong external locus of control may require increased motivation and interventions created to fit directly into their routine and interests. Another step that we may take with our future clients is to encourage an internal locus of control through our use of intervention planning and client centered care. To do this, we can create interventions with equipment they have access to, and educate them on different interventions so they can replicate these tasks at home. This can increase carry over, and create optimal outcomes for the client. By understanding locus of control and how our clients perceive the cause of events that take place in their life, we can tailor our thinking and treatment to better fit their needs.