Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, Vol 53, Issue 1 P43-P50, Copyright © 1998 by The Gerontological Society of America

ARTICLES

Fear of falling and activity restriction: the survey of activities and fear of falling in the elderly (SAFE)

ME Lachman, J Howland, S Tennstedt, A Jette, S Assmann and EW Peterson
Department of Psychology, Brandeis University, Watertown, Massachusetts, USA. [email protected]

A new instrument was developed to assess the role of fear of falling in activity restriction. The instrument assesses fear of falling during performance of 11 activities, and gathers information about participation in these activities as well as the extent to which fear is a source of activity restriction. The instrument demonstrated good internal consistency reliability and showed convergent validity with other fear of falling measures. Concurrent (empirical) validity was demonstrated in that the scale was effective in differentiating among those who were expected to be afraid vs. not afraid of falling. Criterion validity was examined in relation to quality of life variables. Fear of falling was shown to be related to lower quality of life, even when controlling for related background factors. One advantage of this measure over existing measures is the possibility for differentiating fear of falling that leads to activity restriction from fear of falling that accompanies activity. This may provide useful information for those interested in treating fear of falling of promoting activity among the elderly.

This article has been cited by other articles: (Search Google Scholar for Other Citing Articles)

				M.-M. G. Wilson, D. K. Miller, E. M. Andresen, T. K. Malmstrom, J. P. Miller, and F. D. Wolinsky Fear of Falling and Related Activity Restriction Among Middle-Aged African Americans J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., March 1, 2005; 60(3): 355 - 360. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Li, K. J. Fisher, P. Harmer, E. McAuley, and N. L. Wilson Fear of Falling in Elderly Persons: Association With Falls, Functional Ability, and Quality of Life J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., September 1, 2003; 58(5): P283 - 290. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. I. J. M. Kempen, J. Ormel, W. Scaf-Klomp, E. van Sonderen, A. V. Ranchor, and R. Sanderman The Role of Perceived Control in the Process of Older Peoples' Recovery of Physical Functions After Fall-Related Injuries: A Prospective Study J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., January 1, 2003; 58(1): P35 - 41. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. I. Dickinson, J. L. Shroyer, and J. W. Elias The Influence of Commercial-Grade Carpet on Postural Sway and Balance Strategy Among Older Adults Gerontologist, August 1, 2002; 42(4): 552 - 559. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Yardley and H. Smith A Prospective Study of the Relationship Between Feared Consequences of Falling and Avoidance of Activity in Community-Living Older People Gerontologist, February 1, 2002; 42(1): 17 - 23. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]