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Paradoxical effects of perceived control on survival
Chipperfield, Judith G. Perry, Raymond P. Pekrun, Reinhard Hamm, Jeremy M. Lang, Frieder R.
Chipperfield, Judith G.
Perry, Raymond P.
Pekrun, Reinhard
Hamm, Jeremy M.
Lang, Frieder R.
Abstract
Objectives
Appraising health as controllable is typically thought to be adaptive, but recent evidence suggests the paradoxical possibility that perceived control (PC) can be detrimental. We considered the premise that high PC should have a survival benefit when it is part of an adaptive mindset involving high value (importance) for health, but it might be detrimental when it is part of a mindset comprised of low health value (HV). In addition, we examined whether the survival consequences of PC and HV vary with advancing age.
Method
Interviews were conducted with a heterogeneous sample of community-dwelling adults (n = 341; 72–99 years) to assess appraisals of control and value in the domain of health. Mortality data were obtained over 12 years from a provincial health registry.
Results
Both age and HV moderated the PC effect on mortality. The predicted beneficial and detrimental PC effects emerged at younger ages: higher PC predicted longer survival times when health was highly valued but shorter survival times when health was less highly valued.
Discussion
These findings deepen the knowledge regarding the conditions under which PC is or is not adaptive, suggesting the consequences depend on age and the extent to which health is valued.
Keywords
Appraisals, Perceived control, Health value, Mortality, Survival, Motivation
Date
2018
Type
Journal article
Journal
Journal of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
Book
Volume
73
Issue
7
Page Range
1166-1174
Article Number
ACU Department
Institute for Positive Psychology and Education
Faculty of Education and Arts
Faculty of Education and Arts
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled