The mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between mindfulness and life satisfaction in older adults

Caycho-Rodríguez T.; Sánchez-Villena A.; Torales J.; Baños-Chaparro J.; Esteban R.C.; Ventriglio A. · Revista Espanola de Geriatria y Gerontologia (2026) · DOI: 10.1016/j.regg.2026.101821

Resumen

Objective To evaluate the mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between mindfulness and life satisfaction in 310 older Peruvian adults. Methods The Mindful Awareness Attention Scale (MAAS-5), the UCLA-LS three-item scale (UCLA-LS-3), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were administered. A mediational structural equation model and sex invariance were tested using multigroup factor analysis. Results The mediational model showed a good fit (X2(62) = 121.899; CFI = .954, TLI = .942; RMSEA = .056; SRMR = .048). Mindfulness has an inverse relationship with loneliness (β = −.450, P =.000) and a direct relationship with life satisfaction (β = .372, P =.000). Similarly, loneliness has an inverse relationship with life satisfaction (β = -.409, P =.000). The indirect effect of mindfulness on life satisfaction through loneliness was β = −.184 ( P =.000). Evidence of measurement invariance by sex was presented. Conclusion Loneliness plays a mediating role in the relationship between mindfulness and life satisfaction in older adults.

Instituciones: Universidad Científica del Sur; Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola; Universidad Privada Norbert Wiener; Universidad Señor de Sipán