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The Association between Trajectories of Loneliness and Physical Frailty in Chinese Older Adults: Does Age Matter?

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  • Sha Sha

    (School of Sociology and Population Sciences, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, China)

  • Sunny H. W. Chan

    (School of Health and Social Wellbeing, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1DD, UK)

  • Lin Chen

    (Belt and Road School, Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, Zhuhai 519087, China)

  • Yuebin Xu

    (Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, Zhuhai 519087, China)

  • Yao Pan

    (School of Social Development and Public Policy, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

Abstract

Background : The present study aimed to examine age differences in the relationship between trajectories of loneliness and physical frailty among Chinese older adults. Methods : A total of 4618 participants aged ≥60 years old were taken from pooled data created from the 2011–2015 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Loneliness was assessed by a single question from the Centre for Epidemiological Studies scale, whereas physical frailty (PF) was examined by the physical frailty phenotype scale. We characterized trajectories of loneliness and PF using transition types and changes within the survey period. Results : Logistic regression models revealed that baseline loneliness was significantly related to remaining robust PF (OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.49–0.63, p < 0.001) and worsening in PF (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.05–1.30, p < 0.01) at follow-up. Baseline PF status was also significantly related to the transitions in loneliness (worsen: OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.11–1.78, p < 0.01; improve: OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.47–0.91, p < 0.05). The cross-lagged panel model found that baseline PF or loneliness had a significant predictive effect on the changes in each other. The associations between trajectories of loneliness and PF were weakened with age and clustered in the under 75 age groups. Conclusions: Bidirectional associations may exist between trajectories of loneliness and PF among Chinese older adults. Interventions should mainly target the young-old to reduce the adverse reciprocal effects of loneliness and PF.

Suggested Citation

  • Sha Sha & Sunny H. W. Chan & Lin Chen & Yuebin Xu & Yao Pan, 2022. "The Association between Trajectories of Loneliness and Physical Frailty in Chinese Older Adults: Does Age Matter?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5105-:d:799660
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xiaoyan Lei & Yuqing Hu & John J. McArdle & James P. Smith & Yaohui Zhao, 2012. "Gender Differences in Cognition among Older Adults in China," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 47(4), pages 951-971.
    2. Wang, Ruoxi & Chen, Zhuo & Zhou, Yongjie & Shen, Lining & Zhang, Zhiguo & Wu, Xiang, 2019. "Melancholy or mahjong? Diversity, frequency, type, and rural-urban divide of social participation and depression in middle- and old-aged Chinese: A fixed-effects analysis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 238(C), pages 1-1.
    3. Lei, Xiaoyan & Liu, Hong, 2018. "Gender difference in the impact of retirement on cognitive abilities: Evidence from urban China," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 46(4), pages 1425-1446.
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    1. Marlies Maes & Pamela Qualter & Gerine M. A. Lodder & Marcus Mund, 2022. "How (Not) to Measure Loneliness: A Review of the Eight Most Commonly Used Scales," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-37, August.

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