Journal article
The More We Are in Control, the Merrier? Partner Perceived Control and Negative Affect in the Daily Lives of Older Couples.
- Drewelies J Department of Psychology, Humboldt University Berlin, Germany.
- Schade H Department of Psychology, Humboldt University Berlin, Germany.
- Hülür G Department of Psychology and University Research Priority Program "Dynamics of Healthy Aging", University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Hoppmann CA Department of Psychology & Center for Hip Health and Mobility, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
- Ram N Department of Human Development & Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park.
- Gerstorf D Department of Psychology, Humboldt University Berlin, Germany.
- 2018-02-08
Published in:
- The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences. - 2020
Affective well-being
Daily diary
Older couples
Perceived control
Activities of Daily Living
Affect
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Dominance-Subordination
Family Characteristics
Female
Humans
Male
Models, Psychological
English
OBJECTIVES
It is well established that daily perceived control is closely associated with lower negative affect (NA) among older adults. However, it is an open question whether control perceptions of one's partner are also uniquely associated with one's own NA.
METHOD
To examine such associations in dyads of older long-term partners, we make use of data obtained 6 times a day over 7 consecutive days as participants went about their everyday lives (N = 87 couples; mean age = 75 years; mean relationship length = 46 years). Our multilevel actor-partner models for dyadic data analyses covary for relevant individual and couple differences in sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported physical health, and cognitive functioning.
RESULTS
Corroborating and extending earlier reports, results reveal that higher momentary perceived control was associated with lower NA. Most importantly, we found that higher momentary perceived control of the partner is additionally and uniquely associated with lower NA of the actor.
DISCUSSION
We discuss possible mechanisms and underlying pathways of how perceived control may help both partners downregulate their negative emotions in daily life. We close by considering conceptual and practical implications.
It is well established that daily perceived control is closely associated with lower negative affect (NA) among older adults. However, it is an open question whether control perceptions of one's partner are also uniquely associated with one's own NA.
METHOD
To examine such associations in dyads of older long-term partners, we make use of data obtained 6 times a day over 7 consecutive days as participants went about their everyday lives (N = 87 couples; mean age = 75 years; mean relationship length = 46 years). Our multilevel actor-partner models for dyadic data analyses covary for relevant individual and couple differences in sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported physical health, and cognitive functioning.
RESULTS
Corroborating and extending earlier reports, results reveal that higher momentary perceived control was associated with lower NA. Most importantly, we found that higher momentary perceived control of the partner is additionally and uniquely associated with lower NA of the actor.
DISCUSSION
We discuss possible mechanisms and underlying pathways of how perceived control may help both partners downregulate their negative emotions in daily life. We close by considering conceptual and practical implications.
- Language
-
- English
- Open access status
- closed
- Identifiers
-
- DOI 10.1093/geronb/gby009
- PMID 29415244
- Persistent URL
- https://sonar.ch/global/documents/72385
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