Chronic illness with its accompanying physical stressors poses a risk factor for loneliness and depression in later life. Testing a model of stress and coping, we examined the effects of three types of coping resources (religious coping; Selection, Optimization, and Compensation [SOC] adaptive strategies; and perceived social support) on the deleterious effects of chronic illness among older women. Community-dwelling older women (N = 138) with at least one chronic illness (M = 3.9, SD = 2.1) completed mailed questionnaires. Respondents reported multiple morbidities and 90% reported interference with daily life. Social support was associated with less loneliness and depression and mediated the relationship between physical health and loneliness. Our study demonstrates two distinct pathways to depressive symptoms: one through physical symptoms, pain, and disability, and another through the experience of loneliness. Findings support intervention approaches that address disability-related issues and loneliness, and assist older women with chronic illness in identifying and marshaling social support.
Keywords: chronic illness; depressive symptoms; loneliness; mental health; older women; social support.