This article presents a measure developed to evaluate the adaptive processes of primary and secondary controls in elderly persons. Primary control is defined as a strategy to modify the environment to attend to personal demands. Secondary control refers to efforts to fit in the environment. The participants were 315 elderly, between 60 and 92 years old, 33.3% males and 66.7% females. They were interviewed in their own homes. Using factor analysis, three independent factors were identified: Strive for Achievement with Own Resources (Primary Control), Adaptation Effort (Secondary Control) and Strive for Achievement with Help (Primary Control). Considering the paucity of instruments to evaluate these constructs, the measure should contribute to the advance of research as well as to services for elderly people.
primary control; secondary control; elderly; perceived control
