Early in life one must often work to achieve efficacy, control, and confidence. \u201cI can accomplish; I can manage; I can do\u201d are self-judgments that are earned only after many attempts, some of which are miserable failures.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Circumstances often compel elderly adults to ask themselves, \u201cCan I still accomplish? Can I still manage? Can I still do?\u201d Some older men and women seem to have an inexhaustible personal account to draw upon to maintain their confidence; others are more easily made to feel insecure when they encounter situations where their efficacy and control seems unequal to the task. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anybody might have a particular experience in which \u201cthe old touch\u201d doesn\u2019t seem to work. It is when one starts to doubt his or her general ability to influence the world and exercise a reasonable amount of control that the danger of catastrophic anxiety arises.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The efficacy\/control\/confidence issue has its interpersonal and objective as well as its subjective side. One\u2019s success in continuing to live a confident and competent life may depend much on how others cooperate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A supportive \u201cconvoy\u201d of friends and relations can provide just enough help to make up for possible age-related decrements in efficacy and control. The loss of significant others and the indifference of strangers can lead to a series of disappointments and frustrations that contribute to a loss of self-confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n