Moderators of the relation between perceived control and adjustment to chronic illness.

It was predicted that the relation between perceived control and adjustment to chronic illness would be stronger when (a) perceptions of control were based in reality and (b) the threat was severe. Perceived control was assessed during the hospitalization of 80 first cardiac event patients, and adjustment was assessed during hospitalization and 3-month follow-up. Results indicated that perceptions of vicarious control (perception that other people and things have control) were related to better adjustment only for patients who had undergone invasive procedures by physicians. The relation between control and adjustment was stronger under more severe threat conditions (poor prognosis and rehospitalization).