title: The role of perceived control in the process of older peoples' recovery of physical functions after fall-related injuries: a prospective study.
abstract: This study examined the predictive role of perceived control in recovery of physical functions after fall-related injuries in a cohort of 165 older people who had completed preinjury baseline assessments including physical functioning and perceived control. Follow-up assessments of functioning were made at 8 weeks, 5 months, and 12 months. Indicators for perceived control were mastery and self-efficacy expectations. Physical functioning referred to self-reported difficulties with activities of daily living. Covariates included age, gender, level of education, preinjury health status, preinjury levels of social support and disability, and, additionally, the severity of the injury. Separate regression equations were estimated with disability as outcome at 8 weeks, 5 months, and 12 months post injury. Although significant at 8 weeks and borderline significant at 5 months post injury, the predictive role of perceived control appeared to be comparatively small. Preinjury levels of disability were highly predictive for disability at 8 weeks, 5 months, and 12 months post injury. The severity of the injury is the predominant contributor to disability in the short term but becomes insignificant over time, whereas the influence of age on recovery becomes important after 5 months.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Care Studies, Section of Medical Sociology, Maastricht University, The Netherlands. g.kempen@zw.unimaas.nl
authors.forename: Gertrudis I J M
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Kempen
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ormel
authors.forename: Winnie
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Scaf-Klomp
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Sonderen
authors.forename: Adelita V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Ranchor
authors.forename: Robbert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sanderman
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*