Relationship between fall experience and fear of falling, health literacy, and self-efficacy among community-dwelling older adults

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the relationship between fall experience and fear of falling, exercise-related health literacy, and self-efficacy in community-dwelling older adults. [Participants and Methods] A total of 360 community-dwelling older adults participated in the study. Surveys assessed fall experience, fear of falling, exercise-related health literacy, and exercise self-efficacy. Mean scores for these variables were compared between groups with and without fall experiences and between those with and without fear of falling. [Results] No significant differences in health literacy or self-efficacy were observed between the groups with and without fall experiences. However, self-efficacy was significantly higher among those without fear of falling than among those with fear of falling. [Conclusion] Lower self-efficacy was observed among individuals with fear of falling, indicating that fall prevention strategies should address both fear reduction and self-efficacy improvement to promote continued physical activity.