| Background. To date, studies of fear of falling have focused on sociodemographic, physical and functional correlates. Objective. To determine whether depression, anxiety, and dysfunctional attitudes relate independently to fear of falling. Methods. A cross-sectional study of 105 inpatients 60 years or older who experienced at least one fall in the previous year was performed. Psychological variables were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale. Additional variables previously found to be associated with fear of falling were also measured. Results. Depressive disorders, depression severity, anxiety disorders, anxiety severity, and dysfunctional attitudes each related independently to fear of falling as measured both continuously and categorically. Depressive disorders and depression severity had the strongest association with fear of falling. Conclusion. Fear of falling has important psychological correlates. Increased understanding of these correlates could lead to more effective prevention and treatment. |
