Perceived control as a longitudinal moderator of late-life stressors on depressive symptoms

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined perceived control as a moderator of the relationship between late-life stressors and depressive symptoms among a sample of older New Zealanders.

Method: Data were drawn from a longitudinal study with two data collection periods, one year apart. The Time 1 sample consisted of 1489 participants ranging in age from 65 to 94 years and 72% percent participated at Time 2. Correlational and multiple regression procedures were used to examine study hypotheses.

Results: Results showed that Time 1 perceived control beliefs were a unique predictor of depressive symptoms at Time 2 after controlling for Time 1 depressives symptoms and other relevant variables. Further, perceived control beliefs at Time 1 moderated the relationship between late-life stressors and depressive symptoms at Time 2. Those with low perceived control demonstrated a stronger relationship between late-life stressors and depressive symptoms than those with high perceived control.

Conclusion: This study provides evidence that perceived control influences levels of depressive symptoms over time among older adults. Results also support the hypothesis that control beliefs moderate the relationship between late-life stressors and depressive symptoms among older adults. Implications include attributional retraining to promote perceived control and subsequent well-being in older adults.

Keywords:

• control
• mood
• stress
• older adults

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a faculty research development grant from the Massey University School of Psychology.

Notes

*p < .05, **p < .01.

Note: N = 750.

*p < .05, **p < .001.