Citation

Resnick B, Nahm ES, Zhu S, Brown C, An M, Park B, Brown J. Orthop. Nurs. 2014; 33(5): 277-286.

Affiliation

Barbara Resnick, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, Professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore. Eun Shim Nahm, PhD, FAAN, Professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore. Shijun Zhu, PhD, Biostatistician, University of Maryland School of Nursing. Clayton Brown, PhD, Biostatistician, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore. Minjeong An, MS, Doctoral Student, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore. Bukyung Park, MS, Doctoral Student, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore. Jeannie Brown, MS, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses)

DOI

10.1097/NOR.0000000000000084

PMID

25233207

Abstract

PURPOSE:: The purpose of this study was to test a model delineating the factors known to influence fear of falling and exercise behavior among older adults. DESIGN AND METHODS:: This was a secondary data analysis using baseline data from the Bone Health study. A total of 866 individuals from two online communities participated in the study: 161 (18.6%) were from SeniorNet and 683 (78.9%) were from MyHealtheVet. More than half (63%) of the participants were male with a mean age of 62.8 (SD = 8.5) years. The majority was White (89%) and married (53%) and had some college education (87%).

RESULTS:: Knowledge about osteoporosis and awareness one has a diagnosis of osteoporosis directly influenced fear of falling, and knowledge of osteoporosis directly and indirectly influenced exercise behavior. A diagnosis of osteoporosis indirectly influenced exercise behavior. Taken together, the hypothesized model explained 13% of the variance in exercise behavior. IMPLICATIONS:: Improving knowledge of osteoporosis and awareness of having a diagnosis of osteoporosis, decreasing fear of falling, and strengthening self-efficacy and outcome expectations for exercise may help improve exercise behavior among older adults.

Language: en