This study examines whether vicarious exposure to falls (defined as witnessing or hearing about others falling) predicts fall-related concerns in community-dwelling older adults. Specifically, we investigate associations with three key outcomes: concern about falling, perceived consequences of falling, and fall-related activity avoidance. Using a two-wave longitudinal survey design, participants aged 60 years and over will complete online questionnaires at baseline and again after 6 months. Cross-sectional analyses will assess whether individuals who report vicarious exposure to falls show higher levels of fall-related concerns at baseline. Longitudinal analyses will examine whether vicarious exposure during the follow-up period predicts increases in these concerns over time, while accounting for participants’ own fall experiences and baseline levels of concern. We further test whether the combination of vicarious exposure and personal fall experience confers greater risk of elevated fall-related concerns compared to either exposure alone. Analyses will use hierarchical regression models controlling for demographic, health, and psychological covariates. This research aims to extend current models of fear of falling by incorporating social and observational pathways, providing insight into how indirect experiences may shape fall-related beliefs and behaviours in older adults. Findings may inform the development of interventions targeting maladaptive fear and avoidance by addressing both direct and vicarious influences on fall-related concerns.
Hill et al. (Thu,) studied this question.