Behavioral competence as a predictor of perceived control in nursing home elders

The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between behavioral competence and perceived control in nursing home elders. The literature strongly supports perceived control as a primary determinant of psychological well-being in nursing home residents. Identifying predictors of this salient variable will enhance the development of interventions to increase and maintain control in nursing home elders. A nonrandom sample of 134 cognitively intact nursing home elders with poor to excellent self-rated physical health was selected from 13 nursing homes in four counties of a southeastern state. Instruments used included the Desired Control Measure and the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Multilevel Assessment Instrument. Regression analysis demonstrated that components of behavioral competence, time use and self-rated health, explained 34% of the variance of perceived control. Additional research questions were identified.