Reliability and Validity of the Iranian Version of the Falls Efficacy Scale—International.

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Falls efficacy scale international (FES-I) is an instrument that is made to investigation of fear of falling in elders. The current study was performed to assess validity, and reliability of Persian version of FES-I in Iran. Methods: The study was done on 200 community dwelling elder adults between 60 to 84 years by self –report and structures interview. After the translation of FES-I, its internal consistency with Cronbach alpha, test –retest reliability with Spearman –Brown correlation coefficient and its construct validity with exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and its discriminate validity was investigated by the known groups. Results: In factor analysis, the instruments items were extracted in two factors. The results of this analysis were confirmed with confirmatory factor analysis. FES-I was sensitive to some group differences as the concern of falling among variables of women, falling history in the past 1 year, living alone, dependency on others to do the routine activities, fear of falling and poor perceived general health were higher (all p<0.05). In the investigation of the reliability of internal consistency, Cronbach alpha for total instrument was 0.95, for the first factor 0.93 and second factor 0.90. In determining the test –retest reliability, Spearman Brown coefficient (two weeks) for total instrument was 0.84, for the first factor 0.82 and the second factor 0.86. Conclusion: The Iranian version FES-I is used as an instrument to measure the concern of falling among Iranian elderly adults with validity and reliability.