Perceived control and adaptation in elder caregivers: development of an explanatory model

Perceived control has been implicated in the adaptation and well-being of older adults and may be especially relevant to elder caregivers. However, few studies have investigated perceived control within the individual's unique personal, social, and environmental context. This study tested a model representing the hypothesis that perceived control, defined as the perception that salient or valued aspects of one's life are manageable, mediates the objective and subjective aspects of caregiving and caregiver adaptation. Sixty elderly caregivers ranging in age from sixty to eighty-four (M = 69.4) were interviewed. Perceived control had a direct relationship with life satisfaction and depression, and an indirect relationship with subjective symptoms of stress. Wishful thinking coping behavior had a negative relationship with all adaptation variables. Findings are discussed in relation to further refinement and development of a theoretical approach to caregiver research and intervention studies in light of the obtained path model.