Abstract

Aims: the objective of this study is to analyze the mediating role of loneliness, social isolation, and depressive symptoms in the relationship between multimorbidity and physical frailty among Chilean older adults living in the community, following the frailty model proposed by Gobbens. Methods: A total of 2132 older people were studied through a cross-sectional analysis of data from a population-based survey, using hierarchical linear regression and mediations with Hayes' method. Variables of Gob- bens' model guided the data analysis. Results: Regression analysis revealed significant associations between physical frailty and age, education, self-perceived economic status, physical activity, social relationships, mental health, and multimorbidity. Mediation analysis confirmed that loneliness, social isolation, and depressive symptoms are partial mediators in the relationship between multimorbidity and frailty. Conclusions: Multimorbidity contributes significantly to physical frailty. Loneliness and social isolation show weaker associations with frailty, whereas depressive symptoms have a more substantial mediating role. These results underscore the need to integrate these factors into frailty interventions for older people. (c) 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.