Anxiety, depression and fall-related psychological concerns in community-dwelling older people

Objectives Establish the association between affect and fall-related psychological concerns (fear of falling, fall-related self-efficacy, balance confidence, and outcome expectancy). Methods A total of 205 community-dwelling older people (mean age 81, SD 7.5 years) completed the Geriatric Depression Scale–15, Geriatric Anxiety Inventory, Modified Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling, Falls–Efficacy Scale– International, Activity-Specific Balance Confidence Scale, and the Consequences of Falling Scale. Results Hierarchical regression models showed that anxiety was independently associated with all fall-related psychological concerns; depression was only associated with falls efficacy. Associations between fall-related psychological concerns and age, gender, accommodation, medications, self-rated physical health, falls history, mobility, and sensory aids are also discussed. Conclusion This is the first study that investigates the association between affect and the four fall-related psychological concerns. Anxiety was a significant factor associated with all four, whereas depression was only associated with activity avoidance. Implications for healthcare providers are discussed.