The Relevance of Control Beliefs for Health and Aging

Adults and those in later life with a high sense of control appear better off on many indicators of health and well-being. However, those who have a lower sense of control may be at increased risk for a wide range of negative behavioral, affective, and functional outcomes, including higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, use of fewer health protective behaviors and compensatory memory strategies (internal or external memory aids), and have poorer health and memory functioning. The apparent decline of the sense of control associated with aging is of concern especially given the adaptive value of maintaining beliefs in one's control over outcomes. This chapter presents a wealth of information about control beliefs, but there is much to explore before to fully understand the dynamic processes involved in changes and the linkages with outcomes. Sense of control is a promising dimension because it is amenable to change unlike more traditional stable personality traits. This can potentially lead researchers in the direction of new interventions to promote optimal aging.