Psychologic factors that influence communication preferences
have rarely been studied. In a sample of the normal
population, Hashimoto and Fukuhara56 found that, even after
adjusting sociodemographic variables, an internal locus of
control is associated with preference for a participatory
communication style. Again, we obtained different results
for CLBP patients; in our data, an external locus of control
(and participatory communication) was generally associated
with higher expectations of the physician’s communication
behavior. More pronounced fear avoidance beliefs were also
a predictor that patients more clearly wanted the behavior
measured in the KOPRA questionnaire. In summary, it can
be stated that psychologic factors representing risk factors for
chronification and lower treatment effects for CLBP patients
(see Woby et al57 for external locus of control, and Werneke
et al58 and Keeley et al59 for fear avoidance beliefs) also lead
to more pronounced expectations of the physician’s communicative
behavior. A differential effect with differences
depending on the area of communication (as proven for age)
was not seen here.