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

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’ functional social support showed no difference among the three regions (2) An analysis of the models of regional differences indicated that functional social support served as a full mediator in the relationship between structural social support and loneliness in urban older adults, and a partial mediator for older adults living in towns and rural areas. Conclusion: The relationship between structural social support and loneliness is mediated by functional social support, and this mediation model varies between older adults in cities and towns/rural areas. This study helps us understand possible mechanisms through which structural social support impacts loneliness. It suggests that nursing strategies for older adults should be adjusted according to the region and direct greater focus on the function (or quality) of the social support network and older adults living in towns.