Mobility‐Related Psychological Factors and Self‐Reported Versus Performance‐Based Physical Function in Older Nigerian Adults

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Nigeria's rapidly growing older population faces increasing mobility challenges. However, these limitations are often examined using either self‐reported outcomes or selected psychological factors in isolation, with limited attention to how mobility‐related psychological factors relate simultaneously to both self‐reported and performance‐based physical function. Aim This study aimed to examine the relationships between selected mobility‐related psychological factors and both self‐reported and performance‐based physical function among community‐dwelling older adults in Nigeria and to explore whether these factors are associated differently across the two functional measures. Methods A cross‐sectional study of 210 community‐dwelling older adults (mean age 67.9 ± 7.4 years) assessed self‐reported and performance‐based physical function using the Barthel Index and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), respectively. Psychological factors were measured using the Falls Efficacy Scale–International (FES–I), the Activities‐specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, and the Attitude Toward Own Aging (ATOA) Scale. Spearman correlations and hierarchical regressions examined associations. Results Participants showed high functional independence (Barthel Index: 98.6 ± 5.1) and moderate physical performance (SPPB: 8.1 ± 2.8). Balance confidence was strongly negatively correlated with fear of falling (FOF) ( ρ = −0.60, p < 0.001). Age was the only significant predictor of performance‐based physical function ( β = −0.38, p < 0.001). In contrast, self‐reported physical function was predicted by higher balance confidence ( β = 0.30, p = 0.002) and lower FOF ( β = −0.24, p = 0.013), whereas ATOA was not a significant predictor. Item‐level analysis showed that confidence in complex tasks, such as walking in a crowd or navigating ramps, was strongly associated with perceived functional independence. Conclusion Performance‐based physical function was primarily associated with age, whereas self‐reported physical function was more strongly associated with mobility‐related psychological factors such as balance confidence and FOF. We recommend incorporating psychological assessment alongside physical performance evaluation when assessing functional ability in older adults.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Lifestyle Medicine, 2026 · DOI ↗