Relationship between loneliness and frailty among Chinese community-dwelling older adults: a serial mediation model

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to build a serial mediation model by integrating key factors from the existing literature with the cognitive appraisal theory of stress to explore how loneliness could influence frailty. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. In Hubei Province, China, 600 adults (age ≥ 60 years old) were recruited from July 1 to December 31, 2023. Information was collected regarding sociodemographic characteristics, loneliness, self-efficacy, physical activity, and frailty. RESULTS: The prevalence of loneliness was 60.8 %, and multidimensional frailty was 38.5 % among Chinese community-dwelling older adults. Additionally, this study found that self-efficacy mediated the effect of loneliness on frailty. However, the mediation effect of physical activity and the serial mediation path was not found. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that loneliness and frailty in older adults deserve more attention. Interventions focusing on self-efficacy could be considered in the future to improve the frailty of older adults with loneliness.