Although secondary control (SC) beliefs reflect a motivational resource that can protect well-being, little is known about the potential benefits of dynamic shifts in SC in response to socioeconomic hardships. The present study analyzed data from an online national COVID study that collected 5 waves of data from a representative sample of U.S. adults aged 18–80 during the first two years of the pandemic (n = 292). Multilevel models assessed how within-person changes in SC were associated with shifts in mental health (perceived stress, depressive symptoms) and well-being (affect, life satisfaction, meaning in life, personal growth) and the extent to which this relationship depended on increased financial hardship. Results indicated that increases in SC were associated with adaptive shifts across all included outcomes. Financial hardship moderated the link between SC, perceived stress, and personal growth, such that SC was beneficial during periods of financial hardship. Findings provide evidence for the role of dynamic changes in SC in protecting well-being during intractable life circumstances.
Pierce et al. (Fri,) studied this question.