ABSTRACT
The sense of control relates to most of the known social patterns of distress, and also to the other social-psychological explanations of distress. An emotionally beneficial sense of control comes from the power to get things done, rather than from the power to win conflicts. The patterns of emotional well-being reflect the patterns of autonomy, opportunity, and achievement in America. The realities of class and status have a profound influence on the sense of control. Education, family income, unemployment, and economic hardship all affect the sense of control and, through it, depressed and anxious mood and malaise, and even paranoia and schizophrenia. The chapter shows that both standards and the social factors are very important sources of psychological distress. It illustrates the collective impact of the social factors on depression. The biochemical alternative to social explanations of distress has a weaker base of findings in community research, and more logical problems, than the genetic alternative.
