[Factors affecting falls self-efficacy of home-bound elderly people].
OBJECTIVE
Falling is one of the most common health hazards for the elderly. Tinetti et al. (1990) proposed the concept of falls self-efficacy, which explored fear of falling from the perspective of self-efficacy. Falls self-efficacy and its associated factors have not been extensively studied in Japan. This study examined the impact of various factors associated with daily life on falls self-efficacy.


METHODS
We conducted individual interviews with 180 elderly participants (men=93; women=87) on topics such as falls self-efficacy, perceived health status, and time spent on physical activities.


RESULTS
Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the main factors influencing falls self-efficacy were perceived health status, past experience of falling, age, chronic pain, average time spent sitting during a weekday, and moderate or vigorous physical activity time per week. Falls self-efficacy was not significantly associated with gender, human environment, recent falling of acquaintances, or walking time per week.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicated that moderate or vigorous physical activity could enhance falls self-efficacy. Moreover, past falling experiences were negatively associated with falls self-efficacy, whereas perceived health status and chronic pain had a significant impact. Future fall prevention programs should adopt a multifactorial approach that focuses on enhancing falls self-efficacy.
Maeba
Kosuke
K
Graduate School of Human Sciences, Waseda University, Japan.
Takenaka
Koji
K
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003625:Data Collection; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D018577:Homebound Persons / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020377:Self Efficacy