Perceived burdensomeness and happiness in cohabiting older adults: The serial mediating roles of mental well-being and loneliness

BACKGROUND: Aging-related changes and increased dependence on family members may negatively affect older adults' psychological well-being. Perceived burdensomeness refers to the belief that one is a burden on others and has been associated with lower happiness, reduced mental well-being, and greater loneliness. Among adults living with their families, mental well-being and loneliness may explain how perceived burdensomeness relates to happiness in later life. PURPOSE: This study examined the associations between perceived burdensomeness and happiness among older adults living with their families and evaluated the serial mediating roles of mental well-being and loneliness. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included individuals aged ≥65 years residing with family members in a city in Turkey's Eastern Black Sea region. Data were collected from 273 older adults; after preliminary screening, 7 cases were excluded, resulting in a final analytic sample of N = 266. Measures included the Geriatric Feelings of Burdensomeness Scale, WHO-5, the Happiness Scale, and the Loneliness Scale for the Elderly. Serial mediation was tested using a regression-based approach with bootstrap confidence intervals. RESULTS: Perceived burdensomeness was associated with lower mental well-being and higher loneliness. The total association between burdensomeness and happiness was negative (β=-0.467), and more than two-thirds of this association operated indirectly through mental well-being and loneliness. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Perceived burdensomeness was associated with lower happiness among older adults living with their families, primarily through reduced mental well-being and increased loneliness. In geriatric nursing and primary care, routinely assessing these psychosocial factors and implementing family-centered and social support-oriented interventions may help improve happiness.