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Psychological Well-Being Is an Independent Predictor of Falling in an 8-Year Follow-Up of Older Adults

¹ Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University, Canberra.
² Centre for Ageing Studies, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia.

Address correspondence to Kaarin J. Anstey, Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. E-mail: kaarin.anstey{at}anu.edu.au

A population-based sample (N = 787) was followed for 8 years and assessed three times on measures of well-being (depressive symptoms, morale, and control) and fall history. Marginal models assessed the association between baseline well-being measures and falling. Random effects models assessed change in well-being indicators as well as change in fall rate over 8 years. After adjustment for sociodemographics, psychotropic medication, health, and sensorimotor function, our results showed that depressive symptoms, control, and morale were risk factors for subsequent falling, and an increase in depressive symptoms or a reduction in morale was associated with an increasing fall rate. We conclude that the three well-being measures are independently associated with falling and need to be considered in fall-risk assessments and population-based prevention and intervention strategies.

Key Words: Falls • Well-being • Depression • Morale