Health Care Implications of Desire and Expectancy for Control in Elderly Adults

Abstract

Two cross-sectional studies explored the relationship between age and individuals' desire for control both on a general day-to-day level and as patients in health care situations. The relationship between age and expectancies for control over health also was examined. In Study 1, questionnaire surveys completed by 246 community adults ranging in age from 19 to 77 indicated that for health-specific measures at older ages, belief in internal control and desire for control are lower, and belief in control by powerful others is higher. In contrast, no significant differences in general desires for control were found across age groups. In Study 2, expectancies and desire for control in relation to the health of 350 patients about to undergo barium enemas, chemotherapy, or surgery were measured. Older adults reported a lower desire for control of their health care and a greater belief in the ability of powerful others to control their health than did younger adults. The replication of these age differences across samples differing in several respects, including education and health status, suggests that this is a highly reliable finding.

Older Women and the Internet

“…Not only is this the case for older and less educated patients (Ende et al, 1989;Frosh & Kaplan, 1999;Benbassat, Pilpel, & Tidhar, 1998;Bilodeau & Degner, 1996;Kaplan et al, 1995;Beisecker, 1988), but also physicians perpetuate this trend as their experience and education increases (Beisecker et al, 1996;Paterson, 2001). Over the years, studies have shown that patients over 60 years of age have a lower desire for control over their health care when compared to younger adults (Stiggelbout & Kiebert, 1997;Smith et al, 1988;Woodward & Wallston, 1987;Cassileth et al, 1980;Haug, 1979). Moreover, older patients and men are more likely to let the physician make decisions regarding their treatment (Breemhaar, Visser, & Kleunen, 1990).…”

Uses of Internet and Mobile Technology in Health Systems for the Elderly: A Case Study of Hong Kong

“…[19][20] Over the years, studies have shown that patients over 60 years of age have a lower desire for control over their health care when compared to younger adults. [21][22][23][24][25] Moreover, older patients and men are more likely to let the physician make decisions regarding their treatment. [26] This suggests that the elderly tend to have an external locus of control when it comes to health beliefs [27], as opposed to an internal locus of control, over their health care.…”

The Significance of Learning for Aging

“…Blanchard-Fields & Irion, 1987). Even when formal educational and health status are controlled for, it appears in a study by Smith, Woodward, Wallston, Wallston, Rye, and Zylstra (1988), that older persons desire less information on health than younger ones. Based on this study and the above-given considerations on mortality rates, the following hypothesis is offered: The development of desire on the part of older persons for information on health may depend less on formal educational levels than does the level of realized health-related behavior.…”