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Determinants of disparities between perceived and psychological risk of falling among elderly people: cohort study
- Authors:
- DELBAERE Kim, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Medical Journal, 28.8.10, 2010, p.436.
- Publisher:
- British Medical Association
This study investigated older people’s fear of falling by exploring the prevalence and determinants of perceived fall risk (measured by the falls efficacy scale international) and physiological fall risk (measured by the physiological profile assessment) and to understand the role of disparities in perceived and physiological risk in the cause of falls. It was found that many elderly people underestimated or overestimated their risk of falling. These disparities were primarily associated with psychological measures and strongly influenced the probability of falling. It is concluded that measures of both physiological and perceived fall risk should be included in fall risk assessments to allow tailoring of interventions for preventing falls in elderly people.
Falls and catastrophic thoughts about falls predict mobility restriction in community-dwelling older people: a structural equation modelling approach
- Authors:
- DELBAERE Kim, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 13(4), July 2009, pp.587-592.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
How and when concerns about falls emerge is not yet completely known, because these concerns are present in both people with and without a falls history. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of catastrophic beliefs about falls and previous falls in the development of concerns about falls and resulting mobility restrictions (MR). Within a cross-sectional design, 896 older people living independently in the community in the Netherlands completed a battery of questionnaires. Self-report data was gathered on previous falls, catastrophic beliefs about consequences of a fall (Catastrophizing About Falls Scale), concerns about falls (modified Falls Efficacy Scale) and mobility restrictions during daily life (Sickness Impact Profile 68). Using structural equation modelling, it was found that the number of falls in the previous year was not directly related to mobility restrictions in daily life, but via an increase of concerns about falls. Also catastrophic beliefs about the consequences of falls were related to concerns about falls and to mobility restrictions. Goodness-of-fit indices revealed that the presented model had an acceptable fit. Alternative models resulted in lesser-fit indices. Both previous falls and catastrophic beliefs about falls are unique and independent predictors of concerns about falls and, subsequently, of mobility restrictions. A cognitive-behavioural perspective upon mobility restrictions may provide important additional components for treatment and prevention of excessive concerns about falls in older people.