A longitudinal study of the negative impact of falls on health, well-being, and survival in later life: the protective role of perceived control. (3rd April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jónsdóttir, Harpa Lind; Ruthig, Joelle C.
• Is Part Of: Aging & mental health. Volume 25:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: 742
• Page End: 748
• Publication Date: 2021-04-03
• Subjects: Falls -- aging -- perceived control -- survival -- older adults; Older people -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; Older people -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Aging -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Aged -- psychology -- periodicals; Mental Health -- periodicals; Mental Health Services -- periodicals; Aging -- psychology -- periodicals; Aged, 80 and over -- psychology -- periodicals; 618.97689
• DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2020.1725736
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-7863

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Falls can have detrimental effects on older adults' psychological well-being, physical health, and survival rates. However, certain psychosocial mediators may lessen the negative impact of suffering a fall on health and well-being. Perceived control is a psychosocial factor that was examined as a mediator of the falls – health and well-being relationship in the current study. Method: Participants were 232 community-dwelling older adults, age 68 or older who took part in a longitudinal study in 2008 and 2010 and completed measures of perceived control, self-rated health, health-care utilization, number of falls, depressive symptomology, and perceived stress. Survival was also tracked for seven years from 2008 through 2015. Results: Older adults who suffered a fall had poorer health and well-being two years later compared to those who did not suffer a fall. Perceived control mediated the negative impact of falls on subsequent health and well-being outcomes two years later. Among older adults who experienced a fall, higher levels of perceived control predicted better subsequent health and well-being. Suffering one or more falls also predicted less likelihood of survival seven years later, beyond the effects of age, gender, marital status, and education. Conclusion: Findings highlight the importance of assessing risk of falling and levels of perceived control in later life.