Falls and subjective well-being. Results of the population-based German Ageing Survey

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to determine the relationship between falling in the past 12 months and subjective well-being in a broader sense.

Methods: Cross-sectional data were gathered from a representative sample of community-dwelling individuals in the second half of life (40 to 95 years; n = 7808) in Germany. While life satisfaction was quantified using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), positive and negative affect was measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS).

Results: The prevalence of falling in the preceding 12 months was 17.6%. After controlling for sociodemographic factors, various lifestyle factors, self-rated health, and morbidity, multiple linear regression analysis revealed that falling in the past 12 months was associated with higher negative affect (β = 0.08, p < 0.001), lower positive affect (β = -0.04, p < 0.05) as well as lower life satisfaction (β = -0.12, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The present study stresses the relationship between falls and subjective well-being. Future longitudinal studies are needed to validate the findings of the present cross-sectional study and to better understand the nature of this relationship.