Reconceptualizing the role of fear of falling and balance confidence in fall risk.
OBJECTIVE
This article aimed to critically examine preexisting conceptualizations of the relationship among fear of falling, falls efficacy, and falls and to offer a new theoretical model incorporating findings from the recent literature.


METHODS
This is a theoretical article based on a review of preexisting findings pertaining to fear of falling and falls efficacy.


RESULTS
Traditional conceptualizations consider avoidance of activity and deconditioning to be mediators in the relationship between fear of falling and falls, but recent findings suggest that this mediational conceptualization may not be accurate. Moreover, the terms falls efficacy and fear of falling are often used interchangeably in the literature, which is conceptually problematic.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude with the presentation and discussion of an alternative predictive model of fear of falling that incorporates important findings from the recent literature.
Hadjistavropoulos
Thomas
T
University of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. hadjistt@uregina.ca
Delbaere
Kim
K
Fitzgerald
Theresa Dever
TD
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D003210:Concept Formation; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009043:Motor Activity; D004856:Postural Balance; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*