Abstract
Validation of the CILC scale, locus of control, in a spanish sample of parents of hospitalized children. The object of the present study is to analyze the preliminary validity of the CILC "locus of control scale" of Devellis, Devellis, Revicki, Lurie, Runyan y Bristol (1985), with a Spanish sample of parents of hospitalized children. The instrument cited above proposes to evaluate the parental belief about who or what factors principally influence the improvement or cure of a child with specific health care needs. In other words, its purpose is to evaluate the above mentioned causes perceived by the parents. The scale consists of five "locus of control" factors: Professionals, Parents, Child, God and Luck or Chance. The factorial results have revealed that this questionaire shows a structure of five factors consistent with the postulated model by the authors. The reliability falls within accepted limits. It has been seen that some items need revision. Nevertheless, this instrument can be considered adecuate in order to evaluate the parental expectations.