Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Locus of control (LoC) may shape how older adults appraise aging, particularly in acute geriatric rehabilitation. Evidence linking internal/external LoC to domain-specific Views on Aging (VoA, containing Physical Loss, Social Loss, Personal Growth, Self-awareness/Gains) remains limited. METHODS: We analyzed a cross-sectional cohort of patients aged 70 and above from an acute geriatric rehabilitation unit (N = 103) and contextualized findings with a 1:1 Mahalanobis-matched subsample from the German Ageing Survey. Internal and external LoC and covariates (age, sex, Barthel, cognitive function, depressive symptoms, health satisfaction) were standardized (z). Associations were estimated using (i) ordinary least squares (OLS) regression across eight LoC effects, as well as (ii) proportional-odds ordinal models (quartiles; logit link), as a complementary, distribution-robust approach. RESULTS: = 0.035; OR = 0.274). Internal LoC also increased the odds of more positive Personal Growth (OR = 1.64, 95% CI 1.04-2.72), while effects on Social Loss (external LoC OR = 0.649, 95% CI 0.418-0.991) and Gains were smaller. Univariate Spearman correlations were directionally consistent. In the DEAS comparison, older patients showed greater endorsement of both physical losses and gains. CONCLUSIONS: In acute geriatric rehabilitation, internal control beliefs align with more positive views of physical aging and growth, whereas external control aligns with less positive physical (and modestly social) views. The results position LoC as a clinically relevant correlate of aging appraisals.
Source: Geriatrics
Authors: Aline Schönenberg, Charlotte Kobus, Marlene Günther, Luise Umfermann, Tino Prell
Institutions: University Hospital in Halle, Jena University Hospital
Language: English
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,172
OpenAlex ID: W4416066112