An exploratory study of individual and environmental correlates of fear of falling among community-dwelling seniors.
Objectives. The objective of this study was to identify individual and environmental correlates of fear of falling among community-dwelling seniors. Method. The study sample involved 288 community-dwelling adults aged 65 years or older going through the normal aging process. Fear of falling and a series of individual and environmental characteristics were measured with a questionnaire during home interviews. Results. Multivariate logistic regression procedures showed that the strongest correlates of fear of falling are gender, support from a spouse or partner, and residential area. Being a female as well as living in a smaller city or rural area were shown to be risk factors for fear of falling, whereas the availability of support from a spouse or partner was a protective factor. Discussion. Findings from this study suggest that researchers should adopt an ecological perspective to understanding the phenomenon of fear of falling among seniors and collect data on a broader range of individual and environmental factors.
Filiatrault
Johanne
J
School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3C 3J7. johanne.filiatrault@umontreal.ca
Desrosiers
Johanne
J
Trottier
Lise
L
D000056:Accident Prevention; D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada; D004777:Environment; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population