The impact of chronic pain on functional capacity in middle-aged and older adults: The mediating role of family relationships

OBJECTIVES: Investigating the impact of pain on overall functional capacity and the role of family relationships between them. METHODS: Data was drawn from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) 2018. Propensity score matching was used to reduce confounding factors, and a mediation model was employed to examine the mediating role of family relationships between pain and functional capacity. RESULTS: Pain was negatively associated with overall functional capacity (P < 0.001). Within the five domains of functional capacity, the pain group and the non-pain group in meeting basic needs, mobility, and contributing to society domains were different. Family relationships partially mediated the relationship between pain and functional capacity (95 % CI: -0.011 to -0.002). CONCLUSION: Pain's impact on functional capacity is mediated by family relationships. Interventions for healthy aging should manage pain and enhance family relationships in health practice to promote functional capacity.