Effect of Balance Capacity on Fear of Falling in Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Activities of Daily Living and Depressive Symptoms

PURPOSE: To explore the relationship between postural balance and fear of falling (FoF) in older adults, examining the chain mediating roles of activities of daily living (ADLs) and depressive symptoms. METHOD: The chain mediating role of ADLs and depressive symptoms between postural balance and FoF was tested using the PROCESS macro for SPSS 26.0. RESULTS: ADLs and depressive symptoms play a chain mediating role in the relationship between postural balance and FoF. Impaired postural balance is associated with poorer ADLs in older adults and an increased risk of depressive symptoms and FoF. CONCLUSION: Targeted interventions can be developed to reduce FoF in older adults by improving postural balance, increasing ADLs, and alleviating depressive symptoms.