The Pathway From Loneliness to Chronic Diseases: Examining the Mediating Roles of Depression and Self-Perceived Health, and the Moderating Effect of Age Among Older Adults in Israel

Background: Loneliness is a well-established risk factor for health problems, including chronic diseases; yet the mechanisms linking loneliness to morbidity remain unexplained, especially in later life. Objective: To test a pathway from loneliness to chronic disease via depression and self-perceived health, and to examine whether the pathway differs by age in Israeli adults aged 50+. Methods: Wave 9 cross-sectional data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (N = 744) were analyzed. Loneliness (Three-Item Loneliness Scale), depression (12-item scale), self-perceived health (single item), and chronic conditions entered a moderated mediation model. Results: Loneliness predicted more depressive symptoms, which worsened self-perceived health and, in turn, increased the number of chronic conditions. This indirect effect was stronger among the “younger-old” (50–64 years). Conclusions: Loneliness may fuel chronic morbidity in older Israelis through its impact on mood and health perceptions; targeted interventions should address all three stages of this pathway.