Social Support and Mortality in Community-Dwelling Chinese Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Frailty

Abstract

Social support could be associated with reduced risks for frailty and mortality, and such protective influences are especially manifested in its family support component among Chinese older adults. Frailty functions as potential mediator underlying the association of mortality with social support and family support. Our findings indicate the importance of social support as an integral part of geriatric care and underline the potential benefits of frailty assessment and intervention.