title: Predicting perceived recovered activity in older people after a fall.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fall injury represents a common cause of disability in older people. Much research in this area ignores the importance of psycho-social factors in recovery from a fall.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from a sample of 40 people (> or = 65 years) admitted to hospital as a result of a fall. Details included: the fall event; causal beliefs; psychological impact; history of falls; pre-fall activity; general health; and beliefs concerning recovery, including efficacy and affective beliefs. After 2 months, participants were recontacted by letter and completed a questionnaire assessing perceived residual levels of disability (65% response).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicated that beliefs that the fall was due to external causes and was preventable were each associated with higher perceived recovered activity, even when controlling for pre-fall activity, health status and fall injury.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The implications of these findings are discussed with regard to promoting recovery after a fall in older people.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Ageing and Rehabilitation Studies, University of Sheffield, Community Sciences Centre, Northern General Hospital, UK. k.j.mckee@sheffield.ac.uk
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: McKee
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Orbell
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Radley
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires