Characteristics of age-related self-esteem, anxiety and quality of life in elderly women with fear of falling

Fear of falling is a common issue among elderly people with postural instability (PI), which negatively impacts the physical and psychological aspects of health-related quality of life (HRQL). Today, there is growing evidence of decreased HRQL in older adults with a fear of falling (FOF). However, in the Russian scientific literature, information on HRQL in elderly people with FOF is minimal and limited. The present study was aimed at determining age-related self-esteem and anxiety, as well as assessing quality of life among elderly people with FOF. A total of 150 women aged 63-74 years with PI, i.e. those who had experienced two or more falls within 12 months, were examined. The study group included women who were found to have FOF. The comparison group included women without the fear. The level of age-related self-esteem (ASE) was defined as the difference between subjective and calendar age. To determine the levels of situational (SA) and personal (PA) anxiety, the method of Charles D. Spielberger and Yuri Khanin was applied. The SF-36 survey was used to assess HRQL. Based on the results of the conducted study, it has been established that the development of a fear of falling in elderly women with PI will indicate an increase in their ASE, SA and PA, as well as a decrease in all scales and grouped components of HRQL. Since we found a significant decrease in HRQL in elderly people with FOF, the data obtained point to serious changes in physical, mental and social functioning in the short term if appropriate treatment and rehabilitation are not provided. Further research is needed to develop measures that will reduce the manifestations and development of the fear of falling syndrome in older people with PI, as well as to improve their HRQL.