MULTIMORBIDITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE: EXAMINING THE PATHWAYS THROUGH LONELINESS, ADL, IADL, AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS

Abstract Background. Multimorbidity, defined as two or more chronic conditions, negatively affects quality of life. However, little is known about the underlying pathways leading from multimorbidity to lower life (QoL). Objective. The objective this paper was examine multiple potential mediating factors (loneliness, Activities Daily Living [ADL], Instrumental [IADL], depressive symptoms) in relationship between and Furthermore, we explored moderated mediation patterns by age, gender, education. Methods. Longitudinal data were drawn five waves (from 2011 2020) Survey Health, Ageing Retirement Europe (SHARE). We included 37,082 individuals aged 50 years older analyses. predictor (multimorbidity) covariates measured four mediators before QoL outcome (CASP-12). Confounder-adjusted mediator models fitted using mixed-effects models. total association decomposed into direct indirect applying causal analyses with Monte-Carlo simulations. Results. Multimorbidity associated later; 2.12%, 6.17%, 19.90% mediated ADL, IADL, symptoms, respectively. Mediation loneliness not significant. Generally, pronounced women tertiary education compared primary secondary. Differential age quartiles did reveal a clear pattern. Conclusions. results showed that symptoms most important QoL, ADL IADL also playing an role.