ABSTRACT
Health and control are central issues in the life of elderly. It has been suggested that control beliefs may influence physical and psychological well-being, and health, and that the strength of the relationship between control and health is positively age correlated. It is indeed the case that with advancing years, people are increasingly challenged by internal and external changes, which may threaten the sense of control they have over life in general and over health in particular. Older people undergo physiological and physical changes which may be perceived and interpreted as uncontrollable stressors. In addition, changes in the social network (losses) and the confrontation with the pertinacious ageism in our society could contribute to an increase in physical and psychological vulnerability and feelings of helplessness/loss of control in the elderly.
