STRESS

Original Articles

Effects of Loneliness on Stress in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Sequential Dual Mediating Roles of Social Interaction Anxiety and Self-Control: Seung Chul Lee, Wonil Choi, SoYeong Yoon, Soo Rim Noh; STRESS. 2025;33(2):93-102. Published online June 30, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17547/kjsr.2025.33.2.93

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Background
The aim of this study is to identify the psychological pathways linking loneliness to stress among middle-aged and older adults, focusing on the mediating roles of social interaction anxiety and self-control.
Methods
A total of 580 adults aged 40∼71 years completed an online self-report questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was used to test a sequential mediation model, and covariates such as age, sex, depression, and extraversion were controlled for.
Results
Loneliness was positively associated with stress and social interaction anxiety, and negatively with self-control. Social interaction anxiety and self-control each mediated the relationship between loneliness and stress. Moreover, a significant sequential mediation pathway was observed: loneliness was associated with higher levels of social interaction anxiety, which in turn was negatively related to self-control, and lower self-control was linked to heightened stress. After controlling for covariates, only the indirect effect via social interaction anxiety remained significant. This suggests that anxiety in social contexts may serve as a robust emotional mechanism underlying the association between loneliness and perceived stress.
Conclusions
This study empirically supports the sequential mediation model in which loneliness increases social interaction anxiety, which in turn reduces self-control, ultimately elevating stress. These findings highlight the importance of considering both interpersonal and intrapersonal factors in mental health interventions for aging populations. Addressing loneliness, reducing social interaction anxiety, and strengthening self-control may be effective targets for psychological intervention and community-based programs tailored to the needs of middle-aged and older adults.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Loneliness and perceived stress in family caregivers of older adults with disabilities: the mediating role of psychological resilience
Yinghui Song, Ying Luo, Xiwen Zhang, Ying Zhou, Shudi Chen, Caiying Huang
BMC Geriatrics.2026;[Epub] CrossRef

The Mediating Effect of Self-Esteem in the Relationship Between Late-Life Volunteering, Depressive Symptoms, and Subjective Well-Being: A Longitudinal Analysis Using a Sequential Process Latent Growth Model: Dapin Cho, DongHee Jeong, Eun-Jung Shim; STRESS. 2025;33(2):53-62. Published online June 30, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17547/kjsr.2025.33.2.53

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Abstract PDF: Background
This study examined the longitudinal relationship between late-life volunteering, depressive symptoms, and subjective well-being, with a focus on the mediating effect of self-esteem.
Methods
Data were drawn from the 12th to 18th waves (2017∼2023) of the Korean Welfare Panel Study, including 4,954 individuals aged 65 and older at wave 12. A sequential process latent growth model was employed to examine trajectories of self-esteem (waves 13∼15), depressive symptoms, and subjective well-being (both measured at waves 16∼18), as well as their associations over time. The relationship between volunteering, depressive symptoms, and subjective well-being was analyzed while controlling for sex, income and education. Bootstrapping procedure was employed to test the mediating effect of self-esteem.
Results
Self-esteem and depressive symptoms showed a steady decreasing over time, whereas, subjective well-being tended to increase. Compared to non-volunteers, volunteers demonstrated higher initial levels of self-esteem, which were associated with lower subsequent levels and slower declines in depressive symptoms, as well as higher subsequent levels and slower increases in subjective well-being.
Conclusions
This study demonstrates that self-esteem plays a key mediating role between volunteering and mental health outcomes in older adults. Specifically, volunteering was found to enhance self-esteem, which helps reduce depressive symptoms and improve subjective well-being. These findings suggest that interventions aimed at promoting social participation, such as volunteering, and strengthening self-esteem may be effective strategies for enhancing mental health in later life.

Factors Affecting Smartphone Overdependence among Older Adults: Ji-Eun Park, Nayoon Lee; STRESS. 2022;30(1):37-44. Published online March 31, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17547/kjsr.2022.30.1.37

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Abstract PDF: Background
This study aimed to identify the factors affecting smartphone overdependence among older adults.
Methods
A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 179 older adults using smartphones in B metropolitan city. A multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the effect of physical activity, social support, and depression on smartphone overdependence.
Results
Factors that affect smartphone overdependence among the participants were as follows: (a) purpose of using smartphone (β=.23, p=.001), (b) age (β=.23, p=.002), (c) smartphone use time (β=.20, p=.004), (d) educational level (β=−.15, p=.027), and (e) social support (β=−.14, p=.048). The model explained for 19.0% (F=9.30, p＜.001).
Conclusions
The findings of this study can be used as evidence to develop intervention programs and policy measures to prevent and manage smartphone overdependence, which has negative effects on the physical and mental health of older adults.

Review Article

Effects of Community-Based Psychological Interventions on Depressive Symptoms and Blood Glucose Control for Older Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Heajin Yu, Boyoung Hwang; STRESS. 2020;28(1):1-9. Published online March 31, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17547/kjsr.2020.28.1.1

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Abstract PDF

본 연구에서는 노인 당뇨 환자를 대상으로 한 지역사회 기반 심리 중재가 환자들의 우울 증상과 혈당조절에 미치는 효과를 체계적으로 고찰하였다. 국내외 7개의 데이터베이스를 사용하여, 2008년 1월 1일부터 2018년 7월 31일까지 발표된 문헌들을 확인하였다. 선정기준에 따라 다섯 편의 연구가 최종 선정되었으며, 총 대상자는 제2형 당뇨 진단을 받은 지역사회 거주 노인 596명이었다. 메타분석에 선정된 네 편의 연구 모두 행동 교육을 목적으로 프로그램을 구성하였다. 추후에는 표본 크기를 늘려 심리적 중재 프로그램을 시행하는 것이 바람직하며 더욱 다양한 지역에서 수행하는 것이 필요함을 확인할 수 있었다.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Factors Affecting Bereaved Spouses’ Quality of Life: A Systematic Review
Wonjung Noh, Songi Jeon
Stress.2020; 28(4): 254. CrossRef

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