Mediating effects of loneliness and depressive symptoms on family function and life satisfaction among rural elderly patients with chronic diseases
LI Zhonglian1,2, MO Xiangang3, QIN Suxia1, ZHOU Quanxiang1, ZHU Yafen1, MO Caiyun1, YI Aijing1, CHEN Juhai4
1. Department of Medicine, Qiannan Medical College for Nationalities, Duyun, Guizhou 558003, China; 2. School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, China; 3. The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, China; 4. Guiyang Public Health Service Center, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, China
Abstract：Objective To analyze the mediating effects of loneliness and depressive symptoms on family functioning and life satisfaction among rural elderly patients with chronic diseases, so as to provide the basis for improving the life satisfaction of this population. Methods Rural elderly patients with chronic diseases aged ≥60 years in Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province were selected using a multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling method from June to September 2022. Basic information such as gender, age, and chronic diseases were collected. Family function, life satisfaction, loneliness and depressive symptoms were evaluated using Family Care Index Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the b-item Revised VCLA Loneliness Sale and the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale, respectively. The structural equation model was constructed using Amos software to analyze the mediating effects of loneliness and depressive symptoms on the relationship between family function and life satisfaction. The Bootstrap method was employed to test the mediating effects. Results A total of 1 145 rural elderly patients with chronic diseases were recruited, including 517 males (45.15%) and 628 females (54.85%). Among the participants, 657 individuals (57.38%) were aged 60-<71 years, and 540 individuals (47.16%) had three or more chronic diseases. The scores for family function, life satisfaction, loneliness, and depressive symptoms were (3.90±1.18), (18.88±5.25), (12.88±2.99), and (6.65±2.26), respectively. Mediating effect analysis showed that family function had a direct positive effect on life satisfaction (β=0.179, 95%CI: 0.126-0.231). It also indirectly positively influenced the life satisfaction of rural elderly patients with chronic diseases through the independent mediating effect of depressive symptoms (β=0.035, 95%CI: 0.021-0.054) and the chained mediating effect of loneliness and depressive symptoms (β=0.021, 95%CI: 0.013-0.030). The mediating effect of depressive symptoms accounted for 14.89% of the total effect, while the chained mediating effect of loneliness and depressive symptoms accounted for 8.94% of the total effect. Conclusion Good family function can directly enhance the life satisfaction of rural elderly patients with chronic diseases and can also indirectly improve their life satisfaction by reducing loneliness and depressive symptoms.
李忠莲, 莫显刚, 秦素霞, 周全湘, 朱亚芬, 莫才云, 易艾晶, 陈举海. 农村老年慢性病患者孤独感、抑郁症状在家庭功能与生活满意度间的中介效应分析[J]. 预防医学, 2025, 37(6): 551-556,561.
LI Zhonglian, MO Xiangang, QIN Suxia, ZHOU Quanxiang, ZHU Yafen, MO Caiyun, YI Aijing, CHEN Juhai. Mediating effects of loneliness and depressive symptoms on family function and life satisfaction among rural elderly patients with chronic diseases. Preventive Medicine, 2025, 37(6): 551-556,561.
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