The Role of Control in Depression, Anxiety, and Life Satisfaction among Visually Impaired Older Adults

Abstract

Abstract Two groups of visually impaired older adults, minimally (n = 40) and severely impaired (n = 40), were compared on depression, anxiety, life satisfaction, and various dimensions of control. The relationship of control to depression, anxiety, and life satisfaction among the severely impaired then was examined. The severely impaired were found to be significantly more depressed and scored lower in perceptions of control than the minimally impaired, but significant differences were not found in anxiety and life satisfaction. Among the severely impaired, perceived control and the internal domain of locus of control were strongly related to levels of depression, anxiety, and life satisfaction.