Factors related to older women's recovery from hip fractures: physical ability, locus of control, and social support.

Our purpose in conducting this study was to identify the nature of care provided by the informal support network available to older women with hip fractures and to examine the relationships among prior functional ability, locus of control, and reliance on social supports in predicting recovery from hip fractures. One hundred one women who had recently sustained a hip fracture participated in a structured interview process. Overall, the women received more frequent help from their spouse, children, and friends at the time of the interview than during the month before their hip fractures. Women who had higher activities of daily living capabilities prior to the fracture, had a greater internal orientation, and used fewer formal services reported higher levels of current physical functioning.