Relationship Between Social Connectedness and Quality of Life in Older Adults: An Examination of Sex Differences

BACKGROUND: Despite the literature supporting the important role of social connectedness in older people's Quality of Life (QoL), study of this association has been scarce, especially sex-specific social mechanisms. This study aimed to examine how social connectedness related to QoL in community-dwelling older adults, considering sex differences. METHOD: 709 people from Spain, aged 60 and over participated in the study and completed a survey that included sociodemographic characteristics, social connectedness, psychological resources, mental health and QoL. Path analysis was performed to test the hypothesized model. Associations between the assessed variables were tested separately for men and women. RESULTS: The relationship between family function and QoL was fully mediated by psychological resources and mental health, but the direct paths used by women were different from men. The relation between loneliness and QoL was partially mediated, with gratitude and resilience playing a more prominent role among women. CONCLUSIONS: The critical role of social factors is highlighted, as humans are inherently social beings. The study found sex differences in the relationship between social connectedness and QoL, mediated by psychological resources, well-being, and distress. Men and women cope with adversity differently. It is important to consider sex differences when designing interventions for older adults.