Locus of Control and Depression among Noninstitutionalized Elderly Persons

Depression was associated with external locus of control orientation among a sample of 48 noninstitutionalized elderly persons. The over-all results supported Seligman's hypothesis that depressives perceive themselves to lack personal control. However, a trend in the direction of higher correlations between externality and depression fot males than females suggests the possibility that perceived lack of control may be more depressing when it conflicts with expectations concerning self-reliance and mastery associated with traditional male sex roles.