Do older adults adjust their control beliefs according to changes in mobility limitations? Evidence from a large-scale observational study.

OBJECTIVES: This study examines cross-over, time-lagged (cross-lagged) effects of non-intervened changes between mobility limitations and control constraints/self-mastery.

METHODS: Using the Health and Retirement Study data from the years 2006 through 2016 from 10,690 participants, changes in mobility limitations, control constraints, and self-mastery were analyzed simultaneously with three latent change score models, to account for measurement error and pre-existing mobility issues prior to baseline.

RESULTS: An increase in mobility limitations predicts a decrease in mastery observed in the next interval, but not the other way around. Cross-lagged effects of changes are significant only between control and local mobility limitations concerning upper/lower extremity and associated large muscles.

DISCUSSION: The results indicate reciprocity between perceived control constraints and local mobility regardless of pre-existing limitations. To better facilitate recovery and prevention, future intervention designs should consider alleviating control constraints in addition to improving self-mastery.