Locus of Control, Perceived Constraint, and Morale among Institutionalized Aged

Abstract

Examination of the relationship between locus of control and life satisfaction was prompted by a report that external locus of control (belief in the controlling influence of others) promotes good morale for the institutionalized elderly. Contrary to this report, life satisfaction of fifty-six institutionalized elderly women was associated with internality (belief in personal influence). Life satisfaction was also inversely related to perception of institutional constraint (r = −.61), which was its most powerful determinant.