Locus of control and loneliness among older Australians before and during the pandemic

Locus of control (LoC) refers to an individual's belief in the ability to influence life outcomes. An internal LoC, which attributes life changes to one's actions, is linked to better mental health. Despite the well-documented prevalence of loneliness in later life, few studies have explored its association with LoC. This study examined the relationship between LoC and loneliness among older Australians (aged 65+) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Three waves of data from the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey conducted in 2012, 2016, and 2020 were utilized to create an analytical sample of 4994 person-wave observations. A single-item loneliness measure was used, and LoC was constructed based on a seven-item scale. Fixed-effects models were employed to estimate the association between LoC and loneliness.

Findings showed that increases in the LoC score were associated with lower loneliness scores (Coefficient = -0.008, p < 0.001), controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, health, social contact, and time periods. The protective effect of LoC was generally consistent, though direct comparison between 2016 and 2020 suggested it may have strengthened during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The lack of LoC measurements in later waves of the HILDA prevented an analysis of whether LoC might have differed when respondents were experiencing the height of the pandemic.

This study provides evidence that an internal LoC was a relevant psychological construct to reduce loneliness in later life. Future research should examine the extent to which LoC influences coping mechanisms among older adults.