Longitudinal Associations Between Perceived Control and Health for American and Japanese Aging Adults

Abstract

Background and Objectives Research suggests longitudinal and reciprocal relationships between perceived control over life circumstances and health for Western populations; yet, such associations have not been fully understood for non-Western populations. The present study addresses cultural differences in these associations for American and Japanese aging adults. Research Design and Methods For respondents aged 40+ at two waves (Time 1 [T1] and Time 2 [T2]) of Midlife in the United States (N=4,455) and Midlife in Japan (N=827), cross-lagged path models were analyzed for: T1 perceived control predicting change in each health measure (i.e., self-rated health, number of chronic health conditions, functional limitations) from T1 to T2; and, the matched T1 health measure predicting change in perceived control from T1 and T2. In these analyses, the effects of T1 age, T1 perceived control, and each T1 health measure were compared cross-nationally. Results A cross-national difference emerged in that T1 perceived control predicted change in chronic health conditions only for Americans. Similar tendencies were found between the two nationalities for T1 perceived control predicting changes in self-rated health and functional limitations. Reciprocal relationships between perceived control and health measures were found for Americans, but neither age nor any of T1 health measures predicted change in perceived control for the Japanese respondents. Discussion and Implications The findings suggest cultural differences and similarities between the two nationalities, which have implications for potential health benefits of enhancing perceived control among American and Japanese aging adults. Building on these findings, the present study also indicates future directions of research.

Healthcare graduate students' perceived control and preventive behavior for COVID-19 in Japan and the United States: A cross-sectional study

“…These results indicate that nationality is a stronger predictor of preventive health behavior than perceived control, as also indicated in odds ratios. Actually, previous studies reported weaker association between perceived control and health outcomes in Japanese elderly people than American elderly people ( 53 , 54 ), an outcome that was consistent with young adults in this study. This can be one reason why Japanese students showed the lowest perceived control but the highest preventive behaviors.…”

A review on the COVID-19-related psychological impact on older adults: vulnerable or not?

“…Older people are more likely to have experienced both individual traumatic events and collective traumas, such as war, dictatorship [ 38 ], financial crises and natural disasters [ 59 ]. As such, they may be able to consider the current pandemic in a broader context, relativising its impact and show higher resilience against the COVID-19-related adverse mental health outcomes using adaptive resources [ 42 , 53 , 60 , 61 ]. Furthermore, most studies were conducted during the acute phase of the pandemic.…”

Do Mental Health and Vitality Mediate the Relationship between Perceived Control over Time and Fear of COVID-19? A Survey in an Italian Sample

“…Prior psychological studies reported mental health effects on increasing well-being and performance [27], decreasing anxiety, heightening self-confidence, and improving individuals' self-control performance [28]. Scholars also showed that vitality contrasts with physical and mental fatigue, one of the pandemic's main psychological consequences [8]. Although the time available to us to carry out our activities has dramatically increased during the imposed restrictions, individuals often experienced a lack of energy, an inability to start and manage daily activities, and difficulty concentrating at work [7].…”

“…Several studies have analyzed the negative consequences of the coronavirus pandemic on people's mental health especially in patients with chronic or autoimmune diseases [1][2][3], evidencing elevated symptomatology levels in anxiety, general stress, depression, and post-traumatic stress related to COVID-19 [4]. Unpleasant emotions, anger, or vulnerability [5]; loss of vitality [6]; a lack of energy, an inability to start and carry out daily activities, or difficulty concentrating at work [7]; fatigue [8]; and social media addiction [9,10] are other negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic reported by the current literature. The coronavirus pandemic urgently forces people to live in the present moment, experiencing a sort of temporal disintegration in which time is stopped or slowed, the order of time and days confused.…”

“…In contrast, low levels are associated with depression, stress, and anxiety-related disorders [19]. Longitudinal and reciprocal relationships between perceived control over life circumstances and mental health have been suggested too [8]. In this sense, perceived control modulates affective responses to environmental stressors, enhances positive emotions, decreases negative ones, and sustains psychological vitality [20].…”