Citation

Kim YH, Cho CM. Iran. J. Public Health 2022; 51(3): 596-605.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Tehran University of Medical Sciences)

DOI

10.18502/ijph.v51i3.8936

PMID

35865060

PMCID

PMC9276589

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We explored the potential mediating role of frailty in the relationship between depression and falls.

METHODS: The participants were 1,408 community-dwelling older people living alone in South Korea. The potential mediating role of frailty in the relationship between depression and falls was evaluated through univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Baron and Kenny's three-step criteria for mediation were used to examine the mediating effect.

RESULTS: Frailty fully mediated the association between severe depression and falls in univariate (t=11.58, P<.05) and multivariate (t=10.42, P<.05) analyses.

CONCLUSION: Frailty is a valuable target for fall interventions in severely depressed older people living alone.

Language: en

Keywords

Depression; Accidental falls; Frail elderly; Health service; Living independent