ERIC Number: EJ1407946
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0012-1649
EISSN: EISSN-1939-0599
Available Date: N/A
Perceived Control across the Adult Lifespan: Longitudinal Changes in Global Control and Daily Stressor Control
Eric S. Cerino; Susan T. Charles; Jacqueline Mogle; Jonathan Rush; Jennifer R. Piazza; Laura M. Klepacz; Margie E. Lachman; David M. Almeida
Developmental Psychology, v60 n1 p45-58 2024
Perceived control is an important psychosocial resource for health and well-being across the lifespan. Global control (i.e., overall perceived control) decreases over time in studies following people every few years to upwards of 10 years. Changes across wider intervals of the lifespan, however, have yet to be examined. Further, how perceived control changes for specific aspects of daily life, such as stressors, remains comparatively less clear. Using data from the Midlife in the United States National Study of Daily Experiences (NSDE, N = 1,940, M = 56.25 years, SD = 12.20, 57% female), we examined longitudinal changes in global control across 20 years and daily stressor control across 10 years. Global control was assessed in the first wave of the NSDE ([approximately]1996). In follow-up waves, conducted in [approximately] 2008 and [approximately] 2017, participants again not only reported their global control but also reported their perceived control over stressors they experience across 8 consecutive days. Longitudinal analyses revealed differential change trajectories for global control across 20 years and stressor control across 10 years (ps < 0.001). Global control declined for younger and older adults but stayed relatively stable for individuals in midlife. The rate of decline in daily stressor control was steeper than the decline in global control and did not vary by age at baseline. In addition, declines were amplified among individuals with higher global control at baseline. Results suggest that daily stressor control is a specific aspect of control beliefs that follows a different rate of change than global control.
Descriptors: Stress Variables, Adults, Longitudinal Studies, Age Differences, Cognitive Ability, Stress Management, Well Being, Measures (Individuals), Race, Gender Differences, Higher Education, Individual Differences, Educational Attainment
American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (NIH) (DHHS)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: P01AG020166; M3U19AG051426; T32AG049676
Author Affiliations: N/A