Citation

Yoshikawa A, Smith ML. Am. J. Health Behav. 2019; 43(2): 393-405.

Affiliation

Associate Professor and Co-Director Center for Population Health and Aging, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, PNG Publications)

DOI

10.5993/AJHB.43.2.15

PMID

30808478

Abstract

Objectives: We examined the multidimensionality of the new Perceived Ability to Prevent and Manage Fall Risks (PAPMFR) scale that assesses fall-related efficacy (FE) and the mediating role of EF between fear of falling (FOF) and functional mobility (FM). Methods: We carried out a secondary data analysis of 552 participants (mean age = 76.45, SD = 7.79) in a fall prevention program, A Matter of Balance Volunteer Lay Leader Model (AMOB/VLL). We used exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to evaluate the PAPMFR scale. We used structural equation modeling to test the mediating role of PAPMFR between FOF and FM. Results: We identified 3 dimensions of PAPMFR: steadiness/balance, gait, and fall management. We confirmed the mediating effect of the PAPMFR on the relation between FOF and FM with acceptable fit in cross-sectional (χ²/df = 2.25, RMSEA =.06, 95% CI:.04 to.09, CFI =.98 SRMR =.03) and half-longitudinal (χ²/df = 3.04, RMSEA =.08, 95% CI:.07 to.09, CFI =.95, SRMR =.04) models. Conclusions: AMOB/VLL shows promise to enhance FE, which may mediate FM improvements among participants. Find- ings suggest that improving confidence to prevent and manage falls can complement exercise training to promote active aging. Future research should investigate various FE dimensions.

Language: en