Secondary control reviewed and defined

Conclusions about secondary control have been hindered by researchers' disparate interpretations of the construct. The current review offers a definition that reflects commonality among researchers and the spirit of the original article (F. Rothbaum, J. R. Weisz, & S. S. Snyder, 1982): Secondary control refers to the process by which people adjust some aspect of the self and accept circumstances as they are. The authors also identify a "fit versus control" dimension, along which secondary control research can be classified and reviewed. The authors conclude that fit-focused secondary control is adaptive for coping, is relatively preferred in interdependent cultural contexts, and may serve the motivation for relatedness. Control-focused definitions lead to different interpretations of the function and cultural nature of secondary control. The proposed definition and dimension should enable researchers to articulate assumptions about the function and correlates of secondary control.