Falls efficacy: Extending the understanding of self-efficacy in older adults towards managing falls
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Date
2021-09Author
Soh, Shawn Leng-Hsien
Tan, Chee-Wee
Thomas, Janet I.
Tan, Gideon
Xu, Tianma
Ng, Yoke Leng
Lane, Judith
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Soh, S. L. H., Tan, C. W., Thomas, J. I., Tan, G., Xu, T., Ng, Y. L. & Lane, J. (2021) Falls efficacy: Extending the understanding of self-efficacy in older adults towards managing falls. Journal of Frailty, Sarcopenia and Falls, 6(3), pp. 131-138.
Abstract
Falls efficacy is a widely studied construct. The understanding of falls efficacy has evolved over time. Falls efficacy
was initially perceived to be suitably used as a measure of fear of falling. However, further research suggested that
falls efficacy and fear of falling are distinct constructs, and therefore, would be inappropriate to be used as a proxy.
Instead, some researchers posited that falls efficacy is synonymous with balance confidence. Falls efficacy has
been conventionally understood as the perceived ability of individuals to perform activities without losing balance
or falling. A recently conducted systematic review by the authors on existing falls efficacy related measures had
revealed a fresh perspective of recognising falls efficacy as a perceived ability to manage a threat of a fall. Falls
efficacy, with a broadened interpreted construct, relates to the individual’s perceived self-efficacy of performing
necessary actions needed in different scenarios, including pre-fall, near-fall, fall-landing and completed fall. The
conventional interpretation of falls efficacy needs a rethinking of perspective. An extended understanding of falls
efficacy would provide an integral approach towards improving the agency of individual to deal with falls and would
enhance person-centred care.