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Journal of Aging and Health
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An Exploratory Study of Individual and Environmental Correlates of Fear of Falling Among Community-Dwelling Seniors

Johanne Filiatrault, OT, PhD

School of Rehabilitation, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, johanne.filiatrault{at}umontreal.ca

Johanne Desrosiers, OT, PhD

School of Rehabilitation, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

Lise Trottier, MSc

Research Center on Aging, University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify individual and environmental correlates of fear of falling among community-dwelling seniors. Method: The study sample involved 288 community-dwelling adults aged 65 years or older going through the normal aging process. Fear of falling and a series of individual and environmental characteristics were measured with a questionnaire during home interviews. Results: Multivariate logistic regression procedures showed that the strongest correlates of fear of falling are gender, support from a spouse or partner, and residential area. Being a female as well as living in a smaller city or rural area were shown to be risk factors for fear of falling, whereas the availability of support from a spouse or partner was a protective factor. Discussion: Findings from this study suggest that researchers should adopt an ecological perspective to understanding the phenomenon of fear of falling among seniors and collect data on a broader range of individual and environmental factors.

Key Words: fear of falling • accidental falls • accident prevention • community-dwelling seniors

This version was published on September 1, 2009

Journal of Aging and Health, Vol. 21, No. 6, 881-894 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0898264309340694
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