title: The effects of a control-enhancing intervention for nursing home residents: cognition and locus of control as moderators.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to clarify which older adults benefit most from a control-enhancing intervention; in particular, whether cognitive functioning or locus of control might moderate the benefit derived.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nursing home residents were randomly assigned to two conditions: (1) a control-enhanced condition that provided the option of caring for a plant (n=10), and (2) a comparison condition that monitored any change under the standard of care (n=10). Comparison group participants were subsequently offered the intervention, which led to a total of 17 intervention participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cognitive function and locus of control were found to significantly moderate the effects of the control-enhancing intervention on residents' perceived health competency, but not depression or life satisfaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interventions for nursing home residents could be tailored to fit specific needs. Screening for cognitive function and locus of control may help predict who is likely to benefit from control-enhancing interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866, USA. chanley@skidmore.edu
authors.forename: Cay
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Anderson-Hanley
authors.forename: Sarah R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Meshberg
authors.forename: Melissa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Marsh
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010944:Plants