title: Fear of falling and its relationship with anxiety, depression, and activity engagement among community-dwelling older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined (1) the relationship of fear of falling to depression, anxiety, activity level, and activity restriction and (2) whether depression or anxiety predicted fear of falling, activity level, activity restriction, or changes in activity level.
  
  
  METHODS
  We administered the Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly; the Geriatric Depression Scale-30; and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, IVR Version, during a one-time visit to 99 community-dwelling adults ≥55 yr old.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found significant relationships between (1) fear of falling and depression, anxiety, and activity level; (2) depression and anxiety; and (3) activity restriction and depression. Activity level was negatively correlated with activity restriction, fear of falling, depression, and anxiety. Anxiety predicted both fear of falling and activity level. Both anxiety and depression predicted activity restriction because of fear of falling and for other reasons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Occupational therapy practitioners should consider screening their older adult clientele for fear of falling, anxiety, and depression because these states may lead to fall risk and activity restriction.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Therapy Department, College of Allied Health Sciences, East Carolina University, 3305 F Health Sciences Building, Greenville, NC 27858, USA. painterj@ecu.edu
authors.forename: Jane A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Painter
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Allison
authors.forename: Puneet
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dhingra
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Daughtery
authors.forename: Kira
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cogdill
authors.forename: Leonard G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Trujillo
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety; D003863:Depression; D005239:Fear; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged