Exploring the relationship between falls, fall-related psychological concerns, and personality traits in adults: A scoping review protocol

Henrietha C Adandom; Henry C Nwankwo; Israel I Adandom; Olayinka Akinrolie; Adesola C Odole; David R Scott; Oluwagbohunmi A Awosoga

doi:10.1002/hsr2.1848

Exploring the relationship between falls, fall-related psychological concerns, and personality traits in adults: A scoping review protocol

Health Sci Rep. 2024 Jan 30;7(2):e1848. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.1848. eCollection 2024 Feb.

Authors

Henrietha C Adandom¹, Henry C Nwankwo², Israel I Adandom³, Olayinka Akinrolie⁴, Adesola C Odole⁵, David R Scott⁶, Oluwagbohunmi A Awosoga¹

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Health Sciences University of Lethbridge Lethbridge Alberta Canada.
² Warwick Medical School University of Warwick Coventry United Kingdom.
³ Department of Kinesiology University of Alabama Tuscaloosa Alabama USA.
⁴ Applied Health Science, Faculty of Graduate Studies University of Manitoba Winnipeg Manitoba Canada.
⁵ Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine University of Ibadan Ibadan Nigeria.
⁶ Library University of Lethbridge Lethbridge Alberta Canada.

Abstract

Background and aims: Personality traits, such as neuroticism and extraversion, are emerging as important predictors of falls. Despite their significance, existing fall prevention programs often overlook these traits, creating a notable research gap. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive scoping review to explore the existing literature on the relationships among personality traits, falls, and fall-related psychological concerns (FrPCs).

Methods: This scoping review will adhere to the framework established by Arksey and O'Malley, incorporating extensions recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute and using the PRISMA-ScR checklist. A thorough search strategy will be employed, aligning with the population, concept, and context (PCC) selection criteria. Electronic databases, including MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus, will be searched from their inception to the present. Additionally, a manual search of the reference lists of identified and relevant full-text articles will be conducted. Two independent reviewers will screen titles and abstracts, perform full-text reviews, and extract data from pertinent articles.

Discussion: Personality traits are increasingly recognized as influential predictors of falls and related psychological concerns. This review aims to make a substantial contribution to the existing literature by being the first to comprehensively explore and provide a descriptive synthesis of the relationship between personality traits and falls, as well as FrPCs in adults. It is hoped that the outcomes of this review will enhance our comprehension of the role of personality traits in falls, potentially informing future research and strategies for this critical area of study.

Scoping review registration: This scoping review protocol was registered with Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/KR74X).

Keywords: Big Five; balance confidence; falls; fear of falling; personality; self‐efficacy.