Objective: To examine the extent to which 162 older adults attributed the cause of their fall to their own limitations and to their surroundings, and the relationship of these attributions with selected sociodemographic, health-related, locus of control, and fall-related characteristics.
Design: A stratified (by age > or = 65, gender, and area of residence) random sample; needs assessment survey on products and services to enhance independent living among older adults; included section on falls.
Setting: Community-dwelling individuals in both urban and rural settings.
Participants: Potential respondents were drawn from the Manitoba Health database. Overall refusal rate was 22%. Final number of 1,406 participants were interviewed; 162 of these participants reported a fall.
Main measures: Outcome measures were: (1) the extent to which the fall was attributed to "own limitations" (internal attribution), and (2) the extent to which the fall was attributed to "surroundings" (external attribution).
Results: There is diversity in the extent to which individuals attribute falls to internal and external causes. Stepwise regression analyses indicated those reporting poorer self-rated health (p < .001); having dexterity difficulties (p < .01); and living in an apartment (p < .05) were more likely to attribute the fall to their own limitations. Those reporting better self-rated health (p < .01); and falling outdoors (p < .01) were more likely to attribute the fall to the surroundings.
Conclusions: Fall attributions need to be more fully examined in the context of self-rated health and fall prevention programs.