Age, aging, and the sense of control among older adults: a longitudinal reconsideration.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to first estimate the crude cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between age and the sense of control, and then to partition any joint variance attributable to a theoretically specified set of potential confounders.


METHODS
Sense of control was measured at baseline and at each of six bimonthly follow-up interviews among 1,662 patients at two medical centers. Potential confounders were measured at baseline. Analyses include descriptive assessments of level and normative stability, repeated measures analysis of covariance, and hierarchical multiple linear and change score regressions.


RESULTS
Although the sense of control is relatively stable between any two successive waves of data collection, significant gradual changes are observed over a 1-year period. Compelling evidence is found for statistically and substantively significant associations between age and the sense of control at baseline, and between age and changes in the sense of control over time. The only other major predictor of the sense of control is mental well-being.


CONCLUSIONS
Longitudinal studies with repeated assessments over prolonged observation periods are now needed to elucidate age-related trajectories in the sense of control.
Wolinsky
Fredric D
FD
Saint Louis University School of Public Health, St. Louis, Missouri, USA. frederic-wolinsky@uiowa.edu
Wyrwich
Kathleen W
KW
Babu
Ajit N
AN
Kroenke
Kurt
K
Tierney
William M
WM
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008016:Life Change Events; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012803:Sick Role