Locus of control as a predictor of severity of weight-control strategies in bulimics

We investigated the relationships between general and specific measures of locus of control with severity of bulimic behavior. Two groups of participants who did and did not fulfil the criteria for bulimia completed measures of symptomatic behavior, internal and external locus of control, health locus of control, and weight locus of control. Results of a comparison revealed no significant differences between the groups. Generalized locus of control was a predictor of frequency of binges but not severity of weight-control strategies or weight fluctuation. The practical implications of and possible reasons for the results are discussed.