Pathways to loneliness: a mediation analysis investigating the social gradient of loneliness in persons with disabilities in Switzerland

This study investigates how socioeconomic status (SES) affects loneliness in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). It explores different factors, like health, participation in activities, and emotional support, that might explain why people with lower SES are more likely to experience loneliness. The researchers used statistical models to understand the relationships between SES, these factors, and loneliness. They looked at whether these factors act as 'mediators,' meaning they help explain the link between SES and loneliness. The study found that factors like health conditions, restrictions in social activities, and lack of emotional support play a role in why people with lower SES and SCI experience more loneliness. These findings can help design interventions to address loneliness in this group.

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  The study demonstrated robust associations between socioeconomic status and all potential mediators, whereby higher socioeconomic status was associated with better health, participation and psychosocial resources.
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  Emotional support and self-efficacy were both positively associated with fewer restrictions to participation, and fewer restrictions to participation were found to be a result of improved functional independence and fewer secondary health conditions.
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  The study also identified that low SES is followed by a chain of risk factors that contribute to the development of loneliness, suggesting an accumulation of risk factors for loneliness.