TY - JOUR
AU - V. B. Decker
AU - S. Patrick
AU - N. Ozougwu
AU - J. Lopez
AU - J. R. M. Suarez
AU - C. Banarjee
AU - D. Kim
AU - C. S. Leinbach
AU - L. Thiamwong
A1 - 
AB - PURPOSE: To explore the relationship between depressive symptoms and fear of falling (FoF) to identify shared risk factors and inform integrated prevention strategies. METHOD: A cross-sectional correlational design was conducted in three phases to examine relationships between depressive symptoms and FoF in 354 community-dwelling older adults. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, FoF with the Short Falls Efficacy Scale-International, and individual differences in behavioral inhibition and action with the Behavioral Inhibition System and Behavioral Activation System. RESULTS: Depressive symptoms were significantly associated with falls and FoF beyond other factors. The regression model showed that FoF independently predicted depressive symptoms, indicating a direct role in depression. Other factors (age, living alone) may operate through shared pathways. CONCLUSION: Findings support existing research, suggesting that psychological factors, such as FoF, play a key role in the mental health of older adults.
AD - University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
AN - 42347580
BT - J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv
C5 - Healthcare Disparities
DA - 06/2026
DO - 10.3928/02793695-20260619-03
DP - NLM
ET - 20260629
JF - J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv
LA - eng
N2 - PURPOSE: To explore the relationship between depressive symptoms and fear of falling (FoF) to identify shared risk factors and inform integrated prevention strategies. METHOD: A cross-sectional correlational design was conducted in three phases to examine relationships between depressive symptoms and FoF in 354 community-dwelling older adults. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, FoF with the Short Falls Efficacy Scale-International, and individual differences in behavioral inhibition and action with the Behavioral Inhibition System and Behavioral Activation System. RESULTS: Depressive symptoms were significantly associated with falls and FoF beyond other factors. The regression model showed that FoF independently predicted depressive symptoms, indicating a direct role in depression. Other factors (age, living alone) may operate through shared pathways. CONCLUSION: Findings support existing research, suggesting that psychological factors, such as FoF, play a key role in the mental health of older adults.
PY - 2026
SN - 0279-3695 (Print); 0279-3695
SP - 1
EP - 12+
ST - Depressive Symptoms, Fear of Falling, and the Case for Integrated Mental Health Interventions in Geriatric Care: Breaking the Cycle
T1 - Depressive Symptoms, Fear of Falling, and the Case for Integrated Mental Health Interventions in Geriatric Care: Breaking the Cycle
T2 - J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv
TI - Depressive Symptoms, Fear of Falling, and the Case for Integrated Mental Health Interventions in Geriatric Care: Breaking the Cycle
U1 - Healthcare Disparities
U3 - 10.3928/02793695-20260619-03
VO - 0279-3695 (Print); 0279-3695
Y1 - 2026
ER -