Broad objectives. This study aims to describe and explain the relationship between age and changes in the sense of control over one's life.
Specific aims. Four preliminary cross-sectional surveys show that the average sense of control declines in successively older age groups beginning in late middle age. The current study measures change in the sense of control over a three-year follow-up period, correlates the changes with age, and tests hypotheses about the form and components of the association. The main hypotheses are: (I) Dover a period of time, the sense of control declines by an amount that increases with age; (II) the change in sense of control reflects an underlying change in biosocial function, which accelerates with age; (III) higher social status slows the decline in the sense of control, possibly by preserving biosocial function; and (IV) changes in biosocial function and in the sense of control have deviation-amplifying reciprocal effects that accelerate age-dependent changes in the sense of control. Health relatedness. If Rodin's theory of aging dynamics is correct, a sense of control over one's life increases active participation and improves emotional well-being and physical function, which in turn bolsters the sense of control. Emotional well-being and physical function are health factors themselves, and they decrease subsequent morbidity and mortality. Study design and methods. The study surveys a national sample of persons ages l8 and over. Respondents were selected at random and first interviewed by telephone in late 1994 or early 1995. Persons age 60 and older were over-sampled by 80 percent. The design calls for three waves of interviews three years apart. Collection of the second wave will be complete in Spring of 1998. The application requests continued support for analysis of data from the first two waves, and support for collecting and analyzing a third wave of data. The analyses will specify models that test the hypotheses and address technical issues such as measurement error and non-random attrition.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AG012393-09
Application #
6629809
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-RPHB-4 (01))
Program Officer
Nielsen, Lisbeth
Project Start
1994-01-01
Project End
2006-03-31
Budget Start
2003-04-01
Budget End
2006-03-31
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$370,700
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas Austin
Department
Social Sciences
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
170230239
City
Austin
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
78712
Mirowsky, John (2013) Depression and the sense of control: aging vectors, trajectories, and trends. J Health Soc Behav 54:407-25
Mirowsky, John (2011) Cognitive decline and the default American lifestyle. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 66 Suppl 1:i50-8
Mirowsky, John; Ross, Catherine E (2007) Creative work and health. J Health Soc Behav 48:385-403
Ross, Catherine E; Mirowsky, John (2006) Sex differences in the effect of education on depression: resource multiplication or resource substitution? Soc Sci Med 63:1400-13
Mirowsky, John (2005) Age at first birth, health, and mortality. J Health Soc Behav 46:32-50
Ross, Catherine E; Mirowsky, John (2002) Family relationships, social support and subjective life expectancy. J Health Soc Behav 43:469-89
Drentea, Patricia (2002) Retirement and mental health. J Aging Health 14:167-94
Mirowsky, John; Ross, Catherine E (2002) Depression, parenthood, and age at first birth. Soc Sci Med 54:1281-98
Mirowsky, J; Ross, C E (2001) Age and the effect of economic hardship on depression. J Health Soc Behav 42:132-50
Ross, C E; Mirowsky, J (2000) Does medical insurance contribute to socioeconomic differentials in health? Milbank Q 78:291-321, 151-2

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