The Relationships Among Structural Social Support, Functional Social Support, and Loneliness in Older Adults: Analysis of Regional Differences Based on a Multigroup Structural Equation Model.

ABSTRACT: Objective: This study investigated the relationship between structural social support and loneliness and explored whether functional social support had an intermediate role therein. It also employed a multigroup structural equation model to compare mediation models among older adults living in cities, towns, and rural areas. Methods: Using a self-made demographics questionnaire, the structural-functional social support scale, and the 3-item UCLA loneliness scale, this study collected information from 1,325 older adults identified via convenient sampling. Results: The results showed that as: (1) compared with older adults living in towns, older urban, and rural adults had higher structural social support and experienced less loneliness, while older adults' functi

SUBMITTER: Li H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8507854 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature