Behavioral approach and behavioral inhibition as moderators of the association between negative life events and perceived control in midlife

A strong sense of control over the environment is an important component of well-being and promotes resilience to stress. This paper reports a longitudinal investigation of associations between negative life events in midlife, approach–avoidance aspects of personality, and control beliefs in a population-based sample of midlife adults. Results indicated that the experience of negative life events was associated with weaker control beliefs. Behavioral approach was positively related to control, and may be protective against negative life events undermining control beliefs, for those low in behavioral inhibition. Behavioral inhibition was associated with lower control beliefs. Implications for promoting adaptive self-regulation are discussed.