ABSTRACT
Purpose
To examine the sequential explanatory roles of frailty and depression in the relationship between fear of falling (FOF) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in older adults.
Design
Secondary data analysis
Methods
Path models were constructed hypothesizing frailty and depression as serial mediators of the relationship between FoF and HRQoL.
Findings
Depression independently and along with frailty serially mediated the relationship between FoF and mental HRQoL.
Conclusions
Frailty and depression are not typically considered when assessing the effect of FOF on HRQoL.
Clinical Evidence
Understanding the mediating effects and common risk factors on FOF and HRQoL may be an area for interventional development for older adults.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.