Abstract
In Brazil and in the United States, one in three older adults fall each year. Falling can lead to devastating outcomes for older adults, their families and health care systems. Research has identified many risk factors for falls, including physical and environmental hazards. However, less research has addressed the relationship between psychological well-being and falls, when the focus has usually been fear of falling and depression. Using a secondary dataset we tested the relationship between psychological well-being and falls in community dwelling older adults from the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Analysis was conducted using logistic regression. Findings show that most of the psychological well-being variables are predictors of falls. Advanced age and not feeling calm and relaxed were the variables that showed more chances involved with falling. These research findings are important to increase the existing knowledge about falls in Brazil and provide information for professionals working in fall prevention.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bishop, M., Meuleman, J., Robinson, M., & Light, K. (2007). Influence of pain and depression on fear of falling, mobility, and balance in older male veterans. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 44(5), 675–684.
Byers, A., Sheeran, T., Mlodzianowski, A., Meyers, B., Nassisi, P., & Bruce, M. (2008). Depression and risk for adverse falls in older home health care patients. Research in Gerontological Nursing, 1(4), 245–251.
Coimbra, A. M., Ricci, N. A., Coimbra, I. B., & Costallat, L. T. (2010). Falls in the elderly of the family health program. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 51, 317–322.
Conselho Estadual do Rio Grande do Sul. (1997). Os idosos do Rio Grande do Sul: Estudo multidimensional de suas condições de vida – relatório de pesquisa. Retrieved from: http://www.ufrgs.br/3idade/pesquisas/Os_Idosos_do_RS_-_Relatorio_de_Pesquisa.pdf.
Downton, J. H., & Andrews, K. (1990). Postural disturbance and psychological symptoms amongst elderly people living at home. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 5, 93–98.
Erez, M., & Gati, E. (2004). A dynamic, multi-level model of culture: From the micro level of the individual to the macro level of a global culture. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 53(4), 583–598.
IBGE (2009). Population and Households – PNAD 2009 - Summary of indicators. Retrieved from: http://www.ibge.gov.br/estadosat/temas.php?sigla=rs&tema=pnad_2009.
IBGE (2011). 2010 Census first final results: Brazil has a population of 190.755.799 residents. Retrieved from: http://www.ibge.gov.br/english/presidencia/noticias/noticia_visualiza.php?id_noticia=1866&id_pagin=1.
IBGE (2013). Estados: Rio Grande do Sul. Retrieved from: http://www.ibge.gov.br/estadosat/perfil.php?sigla=rs.
IPEA (2012). Situação social nos estados: Rio Grande do Sul. Retrieved from: http://www.ipea.gov.br/portal/images/stories/PDFs/situacao_social/120131_relatorio_situacaosocial_rs.pdf.
Keller, J. M. (2009). A holistic approach to developing fall-prevention programs for community dwelling older adults. Activities, Adaptation, & Aging, 33, 223–239.
Leung, A., Chi, I., Lou, V. W., & Chan, K. S. (2010). Psychosocial risk factors associated with falls among Chinese community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong. Health & Social Care in the Community, 18(3), 272–281.
Lindwall, M., Rennemark, M., Halling, A., Berglund, J., & Hassmen, P. (2006). Depression and exercise in elderly men and women: Findings from the Swedish national study on aging and care. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 15, 41–55.
Long, D., & Holle, M. (2007). Macro systems in the social environment (2nd ed.). Belmont: Thomson Brooks/Cole.
Mahler, M., & Sarvimaki, A. (2010). Indispensable chairs and comforting cushions – falls and the meaning of falls in six older persons lives. Journal of Aging Studies, 24, 88–95.
Ministério da Saúde (2010). Saúde do Idoso. Retrieved from: http://portal.saude.gov.br/portal/saude/area.cfm?id_area=153.
Ministério da Saúde–Saúde da Família (2006). Envelhecimento e saúde da pessoa idosa. Cadernos de Atenção Básica, 19. Brasilia, DF
Pereira, C. L., Vogelaere, P., & Baptista, F. (2008). Role of physical activity in the prevention of falls and their consequences in the elderly. European Review of Aging and Physical Activity, 5, 51–58.
Pereira, G. N., Morsch, P., Lopes, D. G. C., Trevisan, M. D., Ribeiro, A., Navarro, J. H. N., Bós, D. S., Vianna, M. S. S., & Bós, A. J. G. (2013). Fatores socioambientais associados à ocorrência de quedas em idosos. Ciencias Saude Colet, 18(12), 3507–3514.
Roe, B., Howell, F., Riniotis, K., Beech, R., Crome, P., & Ong, B. N. (2009). Older people and falls: Health status, quality of life, lifestyle, care networks, prevention and views on service use following a recent fall. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 18, 2261–2272.
Rubenstein, L. Z. (2006). Falls in older people: Epidemiology, risk factors and strategies for prevention. Age and Ageing, 35(S2), ii37–ii41.
Ruthig, J. C., Chipperfield, J. G., Newall, N. E., Perry, R. P., & Hall, N. C. (2007). Detrimental effects of falling on health and well-being in later life: The mediating roles of perceived control and optimism. Journal of Health Psychology, 12(2), 231–248.
Sjosten, N., Vaapio, S., & Kivela, S.-L. (2008). The effects of fall prevention trials on depressive symptoms and fear of falling among the aged: A systematic review. Aging & Mental Health, 12(1), 30–46.
Talbot, L.A., Musiol R.J., Witham E.K. & Metter E.J. (2005). Falls in young, middle-aged and older community dwelling adults: perceived caused, environmental factos and injury. BMC Public Health, 5 (86).
Tinetti, M. E., Speechley, M., & Ginter, S. F. (1988). Risk factors for falls among elderly persons living in the community. The New England Journal of Medicine, 319(26), 1701–1707.
Whooley, M. A., Kip, K. E., Cauley, J. A., Ensrud, K. E., Nevitt, M. C., & Browner, W. S. (1999). Archives of Internal Medicine, 158, 484–490.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Morsch, P., Shenk, D. & Bos, A.J.G. The Relationship Between Falls and Psychological Well-Being in a Brazilian Community Sample. J Cross Cult Gerontol 30, 119–127 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-014-9249-2
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-014-9249-2