Influences on anxiety in later life: the role of health status, health perceptions, and health locus of control

Author(s): Waid, L. D.

Journal/Book: Aging Ment Health. 1999; 3: PO Box 25, Abingdon Ox14 3Ue, Oxfordshire, England. Carfax Publ Ltd. 213-220.

Abstract: This study examined the linkages between health status, health perceptions and health locus of control, and three dimensions of anxiety in a group of community-dwelling elders (N = 91). Findings show that whereas medical conditions (e.g. High blood pressure, diabetes) did not relate to anxiety, poorer actual and perceived health were related to increased distress and hypochondriacal concerns. Both internal and external (i.e. Powerful others, chance) locus of control over health were differentially predictive of anxiety. Loss of internal control and attributions of control to chance increased distress, attribution to powerful others and chance increased anxiety sensitivity, and attributions to powerful others and health perceptions increased hypochondriasis. Findings are discussed in terms of the relative influence of biological (i.e co-morbid) and psychosocial (i.e. Reactive) factors in the experience of anxiety in later life. Potential implications with respect to psychosocial interventions are discussed.

Note: Article Frazier LD, Florida Int Univ, Dept Psychol, Univ Pk Campus, Miami,FL 33199 USA

Keyword(s): SENSITIVITY INDEX; PANIC DISORDER; AGE; HYPOCHONDRIASIS; DIAGNOSIS; SYMPTOMS; ADULTS; SCALES

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