Perceived control of life regrets: Good for young and bad for old adults

Age differences in the associations among intensity of regret, control attributions. and intrusive thoughts were investigated (N = 122, age range = 20-87 years). Given that the opportunities to overcome regrettable behavior decline with age. older adults' attributions of low internal control were expected to self-protective functions and facilitate deactivation of regret. In younger adults, by contrast. high levels of internal-control attributions might facilitate active change of regrettable behavior, resulting in low intensities of regret. The results showed that internal-control attributions were related to high intensity of regret and intrusive thoughts in older adults. Among younger adults. however, internal-control attributions were associated with low intensity of regret and low levels of intrusive thoughts.