Strengthening Sense of Control in Later Life: A Mindfulness-Supported Control-Enhancement Pilot Study in Australia and China

Principal Investigator

Older adults experiencing psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and stress, frequently report diminished sense of control, a factor associated with poorer emotional wellbeing and reduced coping capacity. Grounded in contemporary control theory2, this pilot project examines whether a mindfulness-supported, control-enhancement intervention can strengthen sense of control and adaptive control modes among Australian and Chinese older adults with psychological distress. The intervention integrates mindfulness practices with structured inquiry to increase awareness of controllable versus uncontrollable domains, cultivate flexible control strategies, and strengthen personal agency across sociocultural contexts. Overall, aim the study aims to strengthen sense of control among Australian and Chinese older adults with psychological distress.

01 Jul 2026 - 30 Jun 2028

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