Child Life Certification Practice Test 2025 - Free Child Life Practice Questions and Study Guide

Averill suggested in 1973 that the three types of personal control encompass cognitive, behavioral, and decisional aspects. Cognitive control refers to how individuals use their thoughts and perceptions to influence their feelings and reactions to stressors. Behavioral control involves the actions taken by an individual in response to a situation, allowing for direct influence over their environment or the stressor itself. Decisional control refers to the ability to make choices that affect an outcome, empowering individuals to shape their experiences and responses proactively.

This framework is critical in understanding how children and families manage stress and decision-making processes within a medical or therapeutic context. By fostering these types of control, child life specialists can empower young patients, promoting resilience and better coping mechanisms during challenging situations.

The other options mentioned do not accurately reflect Averill's original frameworks for personal control, as they include incorrect combinations of behavioral, emotional, and social components that do not align with his categories.