Abstract
The development of our cognition, perceptual abilities, and fears are pervasive throughout our lifespan. Embodied chronic stress, known as allostatic load, may be such a factor that adversely impacts aging across our development. Perceived control over our environment is influenced by chronic stressors, as certain psychosocial facets of allostatic load have been found to impact these very environmental affordances. This study examines the relationship between subjective feelings of age, subjective disease risk, chronic condition status, facets of allostatic load, and perceived environmental control and mastery. The present study has utilized the third wave of the MIDUS data collection project and the collected measures of chronological and subjective age, subjective cancer and heart attack risk, and perceived control. The study found that an older subjective age significantly predicted variability in perceived control, above that of subjective disease risk and the number of chronic conditions.
Advisor
Casey, Michael
Department
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Harper, Graham, "Allostatic Load and Subjective Disease Risk Predicts Perceived Environmental Control" (2024). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 11196.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/11196
Disciplines
Community Health | Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Motor Control | Other Mental and Social Health | Other Public Health | Psychological Phenomena and Processes
Keywords
Subjective Age, Allostatic Load, Perceived Control and Mastery, Public Health, Frailty, Subjective Disease Risk, Affordances
Publication Date
2024
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2024 Graham Harper
