A qualitative analysis of factors related to late life independence as related by the old-old and viewed through the concept of locus of control

Keywords

Oldest-old, Locus of control

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to better understand what factors a sample of independent living oldest-old people believed contributed to their late-life independence. Participants selected from a list of Medicare recipients were interviewed in their homes and asked to identify factors that they felt were responsible for their ability to remain independent in late-life. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. Locus of control emerged as a useful conceptual framework for describing the data. Five styles of locus of control were identified. The fifth style, Integrative Locus of Control, suggested that the oldest-old may integrate multiple styles of internal and external locus of control. Family members and service providers can encourage independence by respecting the oldest-olds' abilities to make decisions, solve problems, and resolve conflicts, while concurrently acknowledging and providing for their identified needs.

Original Publication Citation

Wilken, C. S., Walker, K., Sandberg, J. G., & Holcomb, C. A. (2002). A qualitative analysis of factors related to late life independence as related by old-old and viewed through the concept of locus of control. Journal of Aging Studies, 16, 73-86.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2002-2

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/5277

Publisher

Journal of Aging Studies

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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