Mediating Role of Fall-related Efficacy in a Fall Prevention Program

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.