INTERPERSONAL DEPENDENCY CORRELATES AND LOCUS OF CONTROL ORIENTATION AMONG OBESE ADULTS IN OUTPATIENT TREATMENT FOR OBESITY

Interpersonal dependency and locus of control orientation were studied in obese and nonobese samples. The Interpersonal Dependency Inventory (Hirschfeld, Klerman, Gough, Barrett, & Korchin, 1977) and the I-E Sc ale (Rotter, 1966) were administered to 106 obese adults in outpatient treatment for obesity. The I-E Scale was also administered to 97 nono bese control subjects. As predicted, the obese subjects were significa ntly more internally oriented than has been previously identified in o bese populations. These findings challenge currently held assumptions about locus of control in obese groups. Although the obese and nonobes e subjects maintained similar overall dependency scores, the obese sub jects were more likely to show low levels of autonomy in comparison wi th the nonobese subjects. Interpersonal dependency and locus of contro l dimensions associated with obese conditions may serve as useful pred ictor variables influencing obesity treatment approaches and outcome.