Perceived situational control and perceived duration of time: expressions of life patterns.

Margaret Newman's model of perceived duration of time as an index to consciousness provided the theoretical framework for the study in which perceived control was tested as a possible factor in conflicting findings regarding perceived duration of time among the elderly. Forty institutionalized aged women were tested to explore the relationship between perceived control, age, and perceived duration of time as calculated into a consciousness index. Perceived duration of time was not found to be significantly related to age or perceived control. Length of institutionalization was positively related to perceived control.