The relationship between falls and psychological well-being in a Brazilian community sample

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.