Bidirectional Relationships and Mediating Effects Between Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Frailty in Chinese Older Adults

Social isolation (SI) and loneliness are key factors that contribute to frailty among older adults. Current estimates regarding how frailty affects SI and loneliness and how SI and loneliness affect frailty may be flawed due to reverse causality. This study aimed to investigate the bidirectional relationships and mediating effects among SI, loneliness, and frailty among older adults in China.