Self-control and self-efficacy have played a central role in recent behavioral medicine work on the control of chronic physical pain. Little work investigating the concepts of self-control and self-efficacy has been done with the elderly in spite of the fact that coping strategies in the elderly have been associated with a variety of health and psychological factors. This study examined the relationship among self-control coping skills and the perception of chronic pain, self-reported physical health, and psychological adjustment in a population of community dwelling elderly (N=19). Eight subjects had a diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee; 11 subjects were robust and healthy. All subjects were administered a battery of assessment instruments before and after the arthritic patients had received pain control therapy. Data from the initial tests given to all subjects were analyzed to examine the relationship among the key variables without the component of treatment being a factor. The results showed that self-control and directive instrumental coping were critical factors in pain perception, physical health, and psychological adjustment. The data also suggest that social support is mediated by self-directing and coping mechanisms, and is not in itself the prime basis for adjustment, physical health, or pain perception. (NB)