135 Gendered Differences in Effect of Falls-Related Threat Appraisal on Attitudes Towards Exercise amongst Community-Dwelling Older Singaporeans. (20th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sim, Silvia YH; Tan, Pey June; Ismail, Noor Hafizah; Mallya, Jagadish; Chan, Angelique; Wong, Chek Hooi
• Is Part Of: Age and ageing. Volume 48(2019)Supplement 4
• Page Start: iv28
• Page End: iv33
• Publication Date: 2019-12-20
• Subjects: Falls -- Threat Appraisal -- Attitudes -- Exercise -- Gender; Aging -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afz164.135
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-0729

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Previous studies have established that perceived threat can function as motivation to adopt protective health behaviours (Rogers, 1975; Tannenbaum, 2015 etc). However, while perceived falls-related threat improves intention and participation in falls prevention programmes (Yardley et al, 2007; Dorresteijn et al, 2012), some studies have also found that for women, perceived falls-related threat doubles as a barrier to exercise (Sandlund, 2008; Bruce et al, 2002; Cousins, 2000). The evidence is less clear for men. This paper seeks to analyse gendered differences in how falls-related threat appraisal affects perceived importance of exercise. Methods: Secondary data analysis was conducted on data from the National KAP Study in Singapore, where a cross-sectional survey was conducted on community-dwelling Singaporeans aged ≥60 (N=549). Sub-group analyses were conducted for men (n=212) and women (n=337). Multiple logistic regressions were conducted to assess the effect of threat appraisal on perceived importance of strength and balance exercise, controlling for potential confounders. Perceived falls-related threat was assessed two ways: (a) Concern about falling, measured by the Falls Efficacy Scale – International (FES-I) and (b) Perceived chance of sustaining severe injuries if one fell. Results: For women, concern about falling is not significantly related to perceived importance of exercise (p=0.08). However, perceived chance of sustaining injuries has a small positive relationship with perceived importance of exercise (OR:1.4; 95%CI:1.1-1.8; p<0.01). The reverse is true for men – concern about falling has a positive relationship with perceived importance of exercise (OR: 2.6; 95%CI: 1.3-5.4, p<0.01), while perceived severity of injury is not significantly related to perceived importance of exercise (p=0.94). Conclusion: The results suggest that men and women appraise falls-related threat differently and this affects their attitudes towards exercise. However, more research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind this difference. This will have implications on targeting health messages for men and women.