published_or_final_version / Geography / Master / Master of Philosophy

Au sortir de quatre années d’une guerre fratricide, les États-Unis s’engageaient sur la voie de la Reconstruction, période qui généra des questions autour de la liberté. Deux catégories étaient au cœur d’une actualité faite de rebondissements multiples : les Noirs et les femmes. Les uns parce que leurs soutiens abolitionnistes souhaitaient obtenir une citoyenneté immédiate (“This is the Negro’s hour”) ; les autres parce qu’elles étaient les alliées de longue date des mêmes abolitionnistes et réclamaient dorénavant le suffrage. Ce fut le début d’alliances, de mésalliances entre les hommes noirs, les suffragists, les femmes noires et leurs soutiens et adversaires respectifs, pris qu’ils étaient dans les péripéties de luttes et de causes qui, bien que complémentaires et concomitantes, demeurèrent souvent différentes voire divergentes sur le plan des principes et des stratégies de lutte, ce qui mena parfois à une hostilité réciproque. Tous entrèrent ainsi dans un jeu continu entre universalisme et particularisme (s) jusqu’à l’avènement du vote féminin (Sud mis à part) en 1920 puis du Voting Right Act (1865). Que la réussite des un(e)s dépendît ou non de la victoire des autres, les défaites successives des un(e)s et des autres montraient quant à elles les réticences d’une société traversée par les convulsions occasionnées par ses contradictions d’origine : depuis qu’elle avait proclamé tous les hommes (hormis les Noirs, les Amérindiens et les femmes) égaux. L’inclusion électorale des Noirs et des femmes fut effective au terme de plus d’un siècle de luttes, d’alliances et de mésalliances qui se succédèrent au milieu de cycles successifs d’adhésions ou d’oppositions souvent tumultueuses d’un bout à l’autre de l’échiquier politique. / In the wake of a tragic civil war, the United States entered a period of Reconstruction that aroused many questions about the notion of liberty. Two groups were propelled into the center of the country’s public debate: Blacks and women. While the former became a central issue because their abolitionist allies wanted them to garner immediate citizenship (“This is the Negro’s hour”), the latter were trying to catch public attention because they had been longtime allies to the same abolitionists and were now claiming their own enfranchisement. That was the inception of a long period made of alliances interspersed with moments of blatant disagreement and even separation between black male militants, suffragists, black female franchise advocators, and their respective supporters or opponents. They were all caught in the twists and turns of struggles and causes that complemented one another. Though their motives were concomitant and compatible, they remained fundamentally distinct, even divergent in terms of principles and strategies, which sometimes sparked mutual hostility. They all entered a cycle of actions oscillating between a universal and a particular claim of the franchise. This situation prevailed until the advent of universal female suffrage in 1920 (except for black women in the South). Whether or not the success or failure of black males depended on the defeat of women, the successive defeats of both groups pointed out the reluctance of a society undergoing the convulsions sparked by its original contradictions stemming from the very period when it declared all men equal; all except Indians, Blacks, and women. The final enfranchisement of both women and Blacks took more than a century of alliances and dissociations in the midst of a tumult of successive support or opposition across the country’s political spectrum.

跌倒和肌肉減少症是威脅老年人身體健康和生命安全的兩個重要問題。肌肉減少症所致的肌肉力量減弱和平衡能力下降是導致老年人跌倒的最主要原因。老年人跌倒最普遍和最嚴重的後果是脆性骨折。跌倒所致的脆性骨折是常見老年病，同時也是導致老年人生活品質下降和死亡的最主要原因之一。高頻低幅振動(LMHFV)是一種非侵入性生物物理干預手段，通過給予全身物理震動刺激，可有效提高肌肉功能和改善骨質。由此推測高頻低幅振動治療有望應用於預防跌倒/骨折及延緩肌肉減少。 / 本研究的目的在於，採用臨床隨機對照研究方法，通過對社區老年人進行高頻低幅振動治療，探索高頻低幅振動治療在預防跌倒/骨折、降低骨折發生率以及延緩肌肉量下降的作用。本研究假設高頻低幅振動治療可有效提高肌肉力量和改善骨質，從而降低骨折風險、跌倒率以及骨折發生率。本研究將分成兩部分進行以驗證此假說。 / 第一部分研究中，710名60歲或以上的社區老年人按社區中心為單位隨機分成振動治療組和對照組。振動治療組給予35Hz，0.3g的振動治療，並以每天20分鐘，每週5 天，持續18 個月；對照組則如常生活而不予振動治療。18個月治療過程中，振動治療組的跌倒率低於對照組46% (p=0.001)。同時，治療組的在平衡力測試中的反應時間、移動速度，和最遠移動距離也都有明顯改善 (所有指標 p<0.001）。在高頻低幅振動治療停止一年後，振動治療組的主導腿和非主導腿肌肉力量仍高於接受振動治療前 (p=0.029, p=0.002)。在平衡力測試中，治療組的反應時間、移動速度以及最遠移動距離也明顯優於對照組 (p=0.001，p=0.014，p=0.007)。在停止治療的一年期間，兩組受試者的肌肉力量，平衡能力以及生活品質均有下降的趨勢，但兩組的下降率並無明顯的差異。 / 第二部分的設計是基於第一部分的研究成果，目的在於更深入研究高頻低幅振動治療對肌肉功能、肌肉量以及肌肉質素的影響。60名社區老人隨機分成對照組和振動治療組。振動治療組給予35Hz，0.3g的高頻低幅振動治療，並以每天20分鐘，每週5天，持續9個月; 對照組則如常生活而不予振動治療。9個月後，治療組的主導腿和非主導腿的肌肉力量明顯高於對照組 (p<0.001，p=0.003)。在用以評估肌肉力量以及平衡力的計時起立坐下測試中，振動治療組用以完成連串起立及坐下動作的時間明顯低於對照組 (p=0.009)。振動治療組的下肢功能尺度問卷評估結果也明顯優於對照組 (p=0.002)。雖然兩組間的身體成份及肌電圖測試結果並無明顯差異，但治療組的肌肉量和肌電圖平均頻率均有上升的趨勢。而且，在兩部分實驗中，受試者對高頻低幅振動治療均有良好的耐受性，目前並沒有發現對受試者身體產生不利影響。因此，高頻低幅振動治療可安全地應用於社區老年人。 / 總括而言研究結果證明高頻低幅振動治療可明顯降低老年人跌倒發生率。9至18個月的振動治療可明顯改善老年人下肢功能和平衡力。在完成為期18個月高頻低幅振動治療後的1年，肌肉功能仍高於對照組，表明高頻低幅振動治療具有長期療效。因此，高頻低幅振動治療應在社區推廣作為老年人跌倒的預防方案之一。 / Fall and sarcopenia are two major problems among elderly. Poor muscle strength and balancing ability resulted from sarcopenia are the major causes of fall incidences. Fragility fracture is one of the most common and serious consequences of falls, which accounts for most of the deaths, as well as morbidity and poor quality of life. Low magnitude high frequency vibration (LMHFV) treatment is a non-invasive biophysical modality to provide a whole-body mechanical stimulation, which was previously shown to improve muscle performance and bone quality implying the potential application for fall/fracture prevention and reducing muscle loss. / The objectives of this study were to conduct prospective randomized controlled clinical trials to investigate the effect of LMHFV treatment on fall/fracture prevention, fracture risks and muscle loss among community elderly. It was hypothesized that LMHFV treatment could enhance muscle performance and bone quality, thus reducing the fracture risks, fall incidence and fracture rate. Two parts of studies were designed to testify the hypotheses. / In the Part I study, a total of 710 community elderly who were aged 60 years or above were recruited and randomized into vibration or control group on center-basis. The subjects in vibration group received LMHFV treatment (35Hz, 0.3g) 20min/day and 5days/week for 18 months, while control group remained sedentary. During the 18-month study period, the vibration group had reported 46% lower fall incidence rate when compared with control group (p=0.001). Significant improvements were found in reaction time, movement velocity and maximum excursion of balancing ability assessment, and also the quadriceps muscle strength (p<0.001 to all). After ceasing the LMHFV for 1 year, the muscle strength of dominant and non-dominant legs in vibration group were still significantly better than the baseline assessed before intervention (p=0.029 and 0.002 respectively), as compared with the control. In balancing ability test, the reaction time, movement velocity and maximum excursion of vibration group also remained significantly improved, as compared with the control group (p=0.001, 0.014 and 0.007 respectively). During the 1 year post-intervention period, both groups had shown a decreasing trend of muscle strength, balancing ability and quality of life but the rate of changes were not significantly different between two groups. / With reference to the results of Part I study, the Part II study was designed to investigate further the effects of LMHFV on muscle performance, mass and quality. 60 community elderly were recruited and randomized into either vibration or control group. Vibration group subjects received LMHFV treatment (35Hz, 0.3g) 20min/day, 5days/week for 9 months, while control group remained sedentary. Significant enhancement of dominant and non-dominant leg muscle strength was observed in the vibration group after 9 months LMHFV (p<0.001 and =0.003 respectively). In the chair rising test assessing muscle power and balancing ability, vibration group showed significantly shorter time needed for sit-to-stand cycles than the control (p=0.009). Significant increase of the lower extremity functional scale was also observed in the vibration group (p=0.002). No significant findings were found in the body composition and vibromyography (VMG) assessment, however, a trend of increasing lean mass and VMG mean frequency were observed. Also, minimal adverse effects were documented in both parts of study; all subjects were well-tolerated for LMHFV treatment. LMHFV is therefore safe and applicable to elderly in the community setting. / LMHFV was demonstrated to reduce fall incidences significantly. Significant effects on improving lower limbs function and balancing ability were observed as early as 9 months after treatment. Enhancement of muscle performance still remained significant 1 year after completion of 18-month LMHFV treatment, indicating strong residual effects of LMHFV. Use of LMHFV in the community as an effective fall prevention program is recommended. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Li, Chi Yu. / Thesis (Ph.D.) Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2014. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 154-167). / Abstracts also in Chinese.

Chan Cheung Shing. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 88-90). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.ii / Acknowledgements --- p.iv / Table of Contents --- p.v / List of Figures --- p.viii / List of Tables --- p.xii / Abbreviations and Notations --- p.xiii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Background and Objective --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Contribution --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3 --- Thesis Outline --- p.5 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- System Architecture --- p.6 / Chapter 2.1 --- Conceptual Design --- p.6 / Chapter 2.2 --- Sensing Device and Fall-Detection Algorithm --- p.7 / Chapter 2.3 --- Mechanical Part --- p.10 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Mechanical Design --- p.11 / Chapter 3.1 --- Similar Products --- p.11 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Airbag Restraining Systems in Automobiles --- p.11 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Airbag Jackets for Motorcycle and House Riders --- p.12 / Chapter 3.2 --- Mechanism adopted --- p.12 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Time Requirement of Inflator --- p.12 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Mechanism and Design --- p.13 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Actuator --- p.14 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Punch --- p.15 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Airbags --- p.18 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Other Mechanisms Tried --- p.19 / Chapter 3.3 --- Prototype --- p.21 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Implementation --- p.21 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Demonstration --- p.23 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Inflation Estimation --- p.25 / Chapter 4.1 --- Theory and Model --- p.25 / Chapter 4.2 --- Validation of Model --- p.28 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Testing Equipment --- p.28 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Preprocessing of Pressure Sensor Outputs --- p.28 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Validation for Basic Equations --- p.29 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Adjustment of Discharge Coefficients --- p.36 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Validation for Discharging to a Fixed Volume --- p.40 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Estimation of the Size of Airbag's Leakage Hole --- p.45 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- Validation for Discharging to an Airbag --- p.47 / Chapter 4.2.8 --- Time Delay due to Addition of a Pipe --- p.52 / Chapter 4.3 --- Summary of Experiments --- p.53 / Chapter 4.4 --- Limitation of Model --- p.54 / Chapter 4.5 --- Prediction of Inflation Time and Airbag Pressure --- p.55 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Effects of Orifice Size and Vent Size on Airbag Pressure and Volume --- p.55 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Force Attenuation Estimation --- p.58 / Chapter 5.1 --- Theory and Model --- p.58 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- Kelvin-Voigt Model --- p.59 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Standard Linear Solid Support Model --- p.59 / Chapter 5.2 --- Simple Testing for Validation --- p.61 / Chapter 5.3 --- Summary of Experiment --- p.64 / Chapter 5.4 --- Estimation --- p.64 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- Force Attenuation Ability of Prototype --- p.64 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- Minimum Airbag Volume and Pressure Required to Reduce the Force --- p.65 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Future Work --- p.66 / Chapter 6.1 --- Impact Test for Airbag System --- p.66 / Chapter 6.2 --- The Effective Mass of the Target User --- p.67 / Chapter 6.3 --- The Motion Data Collection --- p.68 / Chapter 6.4 --- Modification in the Inflator --- p.69 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- Conclusion --- p.70 / Appendix A Review of Basic Thermodynamics and Fluid Dynamics --- p.72 / Chapter A.1 --- Thermodynamics --- p.72 / Chapter A.2 --- Fluid Mechanics: Incompressible and Compressible Flow --- p.75 / Appendix B Derivation of Equations --- p.77 / Chapter B.1 --- Mass Flow Rate Equations --- p.77 / Chapter B.2 --- Relationship between Rate of Changes of Airbag Pressure and Volume --- p.80 / Chapter B.3 --- Pressure Change of Compressed Gas Cylinder --- p.82 / Chapter B.4 --- Dominating Factors in the Mass Flow Rate Equation --- p.83 / Appendix C Dimensions of Inflator --- p.85 / Appendix D Experimental Data --- p.86

The purpose of this thesis was to identify fall risk individuals (+55) after stroke by validating a fall risk index and in post-stroke individuals with high risk of falls evaluate the impact of an intervention program on fall risk factors.A previously developed fall risk index was validated, modified and re-validated. The validation showed a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 26%. This result was not considered sufficiently accurate. Therefore a modified index was created in the Validation sample and re-validated back in the Model fit sample. The modified index was reduced to three items and included postural stability + visuospatial hemi-inattention + male sex.The randomized controlled trial contained an intervention program (IP) with High-Intensity Functional Exercises as well as implementation these exercises in to real life situations together with educational group discussions. The participants were enrolled and randomized three to six months after their stroke. The assessments were performed at the Clinical Research Center at Norrlands University Hospital. The Intervention Group (IG) received a program of 35 sessions (exercise and group discussions) and the Control Group (CG) received five group discussions.Performing daily activities at 6 months follow-up and falls-efficacy post-intervention and at the 3 months follow-up showed significant improvement in the IG compared with the CG (p&lt;0.05). The IP did not have a statistically significant impact on Balance or Lifestyle activities. When evaluating gait, step time variability for the paretic leg and the variability in Cycle Time for the paretic and non-paretic leg were improved for the IG. The time spent on the non –paretic leg in the gait cycles’ most stable phase, Double Support, was reduced by almost half (0.9 sec to 0.4 sec) since baseline for the IG after the intervention and remained reduced to the three month follow-up. Quality of Life showed an improvement in the CG compared with the IG for the mental scales, Mental Component Scale and Mental Health subscale at the 3 month follow-up (p=.02).In conclusion, this intervention program significantly improved performance of everyday life activities, falls-efficacy and the variability in gait. These are three major fall risk factors and might in the long run have an impact on decreasing falls in persons that had a stroke.

The Albert Falls Area had witnessed severe competition over land use between agriculture, recreation, conservation and other land uses. The area also has been the scene for inefficient land management that led to degradation of land resources. For proper land use planning and environmental management, information on land use/cover change is vital. This study has developed a spatial and descriptive historical land use/cover databases for the years 1944, 1967, 1989, and 2000 to provide an understanding of land use/cover patterns in Albert Falls Area. The databases were created by interpreting historical aerial photographs and using Geographic Information Systems. The data was subsequently analyzed to detect relevant trends in land use/cover patterns in the study area. Generally land use/cover pattern of Albert Falls Area during the period 1944 to 2000 may be described as being mainly agricultural. The results showed a marginal increase of indigenous forests attributed to the continuous efforts by different governmental departments and policies that focused on the protection of the remaining patches of indigenous forests. Grassland not only decreased by more than half but it also deteriorated in quality during 1944 to 2000. Commercial Forestry predominates the study area and showed an increasing trend from 1944 to 1967. Cultivated Land was observed to decrease at the expense of Commercial Forestry plantations and Waterbodies. Although sugarcane plantations increased after 1967, total Cultivated Land showed a decreasing trend. The construction of Albert Falls Dam and other small Farm Ponds within the agricultural farms increased the land areas covered by Waterbodies. Residential Area coverage generally decreased irrespective of the encroachment of informal settlements, while that outside Non-Residential Area and Transportation Routes generally increased with the development of commercial agriculture in the area. Barren Land decreased continuously due to higher land demand in the study area. The study showed that land use/cover changes in Albert Falls Area. have resulted in habitat fragmentation, development of monoculture land use, flourishing of Farm Ponds in agricultural farms, and expansion of agricultural activities on marginal lands. Creation of corridors/linkages between the fragmented forest patches; commencement and implementation of the already well drafted land and land resource policies and regulations; commencement of the holistic management plans in the area were recommended for a sustainable land use. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

Among elderly people, falls lead to a considerable amount of immobility, morbidity, and mortality. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate methods for predicting falls, and to evaluate a fall prevention program among elderly people living in residential care facilities. A fall was defined as any event in which the resident unintentionally came to rest on the floor or the ground regardless of whether or not an injury was sustained. In developing the prediction methods, it was hypothesised that older persons showing difficulties in performing a familiar second task while walking were more likely to fall within six months. For residents who stopped walking when talking, the relative risk of falling was 3.5 (95% CL2.0-6.2) compared to those who continued walking. For residents with a time difference (diffTUG) of at least 4.5 seconds between two performances of the Timed Up&amp;Go test, with and without carrying a glass, the hazard ratio for falls was 4.7 (95% Cl: 1.5-14.2) compared to those with a shorter diffTUG. A screening tool, the Mobility Interaction Fall (MIF) chart, was developed and evaluated, then validated in a new sample. This tool included a mobility rating, ‘Stops walking when talking’, ‘diffTUG’, a test of vision, and a concentration rating. In the first sample, the hazard ratio was 12.1 (95% 0:4.6-31.8) for residents classified as ‘high-risk’ compared to ‘low-risk’. The positive predictive value was 78%, and the negative predictive value, the sensitivity, and the specificity were above 80% for falling in six months. In the second sample the prediction accuracy of the MIF chart was lower (hazard ratio 1.7, 95% Cl: 1.1-2.5) and a 6-month fall history or a global rating of fall risk by staff were at least equally valuable. A combination of any two of the methods - the MIF chart, staff judgement, fall history - was more accurate at identifying high risk residents than any method alone. Half of the residents classified by two methods as ‘high risk’ sustained a fall within 6 months. In a randomised study a prevention program directed to residents, staff, and environment resulted in a significant reduction in the number of residents falling (44% vs. 56%; odds ratio 0.62, 95% CF0.41-0.92), the incidence of falls (incidence rate ratio IRR 0.80, 95% CF0.69-0.94) and of femoral fractures (IRR 0.25, 95% 0:0.08-0.82) in the intervention compared to the control group. In conclusion, a combination of any two of the staff judgement, fall history or MIF chart has the potential to identify a large proportion of residents at particular high fall risk. A multidisciplinary and multifactorial fall prevention program directed to residents, staff, and the environment can reduce the numbnumber of residents falling, of falls and of femoral fractures. / <p>Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2000,, härtill 5 uppsatser</p> / digitalisering@umu

People aged ≥65 years (older people) have a higher chance of falling than other age groups. However, based on qualitative research, older people do not believe that falls prevention information and strategies have personal relevance. This suggests that older people believe that falls are more likely to happen to other older people than themselves, that is, they might be comparatively optimistic about their chance of falling. It is important to understand comparative optimism about falling as it is a consistent reason given by older people for not participating in falls prevention activity. This thesis used a mixed methods design with a sequential strategy to investigate community-dwelling older people's comparative optimism about falling. Three studies were undertaken, using semi-structured interviews, cognitive interviews and telephone interviews to collect data. The semi-structured interview study, guided by the tenets of grounded theory, aimed to develop an explanation of why older people might be comparatively optimistic. A sampling frame (age, sex and direct and indirect history of falling) was used to guide recruiting respondents. Older people (N = 9) were interviewed about their chance and other older people's chance of falling. Interviews were analysed using the constant comparison method. The cognitive interview study investigated potential problems in survey items in order to refine them for the telephone interview study. Items were developed to measure older people's comparative optimism about falling. Older people (N = 13) were cognitively interviewed, and interviews were content analysed. The telephone interview study aimed to determine whether older people were comparatively optimistic about falling, and whether the direct and indirect experience of falling was associated with comparative optimism. A random sample of older people (N = 389) living in South Australia were telephone interviewed (response rate = 75%). The semi-structured interview study identified that it was a 'threat to identity' for respondents to say they had a chance of falling because of intrinsic risk factors. Respondents used strategies to maintain or protect their identity when discussing their chance of falling in the future or their reasons for falling in the past. In the cognitive interview study, respondents reported difficulty in rating their chance of falling, as they believed falls were unexpected and unpredictable. They reported difficulty in rating other people's chance of falling, as they believed they did not know other people their age, did not have enough information and/or did not know the answer. In the telephone interview study, most respondents believed they had the same chance (42%), or a lower chance (48%) of falling in the next 12 months, than other older people. Having fallen in the last 12 months was significantly associated with a lowered comparative optimism, but knowing other older people who had fallen was not associated with comparative optimism. This is the first quantitative study to report that the majority of a representative sample of community-dwelling older people were comparatively optimistic about their chance of falling. Self-presentation concerns about having a chance of falling support the core category to emerge from the semi-structured interview study. Messages such as 'you can reduce your risk of falls' may be ignored by older people. Alternative messages should promote identities that are relevant to older people, such as being independent, mobile and active, but these messages should be tested in further research. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1374964 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Psychology and School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, 2009

People aged ≥65 years (older people) have a higher chance of falling than other age groups. However, based on qualitative research, older people do not believe that falls prevention information and strategies have personal relevance. This suggests that older people believe that falls are more likely to happen to other older people than themselves, that is, they might be comparatively optimistic about their chance of falling. It is important to understand comparative optimism about falling as it is a consistent reason given by older people for not participating in falls prevention activity. This thesis used a mixed methods design with a sequential strategy to investigate community-dwelling older people's comparative optimism about falling. Three studies were undertaken, using semi-structured interviews, cognitive interviews and telephone interviews to collect data. The semi-structured interview study, guided by the tenets of grounded theory, aimed to develop an explanation of why older people might be comparatively optimistic. A sampling frame (age, sex and direct and indirect history of falling) was used to guide recruiting respondents. Older people (N = 9) were interviewed about their chance and other older people's chance of falling. Interviews were analysed using the constant comparison method. The cognitive interview study investigated potential problems in survey items in order to refine them for the telephone interview study. Items were developed to measure older people's comparative optimism about falling. Older people (N = 13) were cognitively interviewed, and interviews were content analysed. The telephone interview study aimed to determine whether older people were comparatively optimistic about falling, and whether the direct and indirect experience of falling was associated with comparative optimism. A random sample of older people (N = 389) living in South Australia were telephone interviewed (response rate = 75%). The semi-structured interview study identified that it was a 'threat to identity' for respondents to say they had a chance of falling because of intrinsic risk factors. Respondents used strategies to maintain or protect their identity when discussing their chance of falling in the future or their reasons for falling in the past. In the cognitive interview study, respondents reported difficulty in rating their chance of falling, as they believed falls were unexpected and unpredictable. They reported difficulty in rating other people's chance of falling, as they believed they did not know other people their age, did not have enough information and/or did not know the answer. In the telephone interview study, most respondents believed they had the same chance (42%), or a lower chance (48%) of falling in the next 12 months, than other older people. Having fallen in the last 12 months was significantly associated with a lowered comparative optimism, but knowing other older people who had fallen was not associated with comparative optimism. This is the first quantitative study to report that the majority of a representative sample of community-dwelling older people were comparatively optimistic about their chance of falling. Self-presentation concerns about having a chance of falling support the core category to emerge from the semi-structured interview study. Messages such as 'you can reduce your risk of falls' may be ignored by older people. Alternative messages should promote identities that are relevant to older people, such as being independent, mobile and active, but these messages should be tested in further research. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1374964 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Psychology and School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, 2009

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Alberta, 2010. / A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine. Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on February 16, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.