Age-Moderated Associations Between Social Support and Loneliness in Latino Adults with Cardiovascular Disease.

Abstract

BackgroundLoneliness is recognized as a public health concern linked to adverse mental and physical health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). Latino adults experience disproportionate CVD prevalence and structural barriers that may exacerbate loneliness, yet little is known about how age moderates the association between social support and loneliness in this population.MethodsThe 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) provided data for 1,138 Latino adults aged 18 + with self-reported CVD. Loneliness was dichotomized as always/usually/sometimes versus rarely/never. Weighted multivariable logistic regressions evaluated associations between support, age, and loneliness, and predicted probabilities were estimated to examine age-specific effects.ResultsOverall, 53.1% of participants reported loneliness. Younger adults (18-34 years) had nearly fivefold higher odds of loneliness compared with older adults (55+ years). Urban residence and being widowed/divorced/separated were also associated with higher odds of loneliness. Younger adults had high predicted probabilities of loneliness even with frequent support, whereas older adults' loneliness increased markedly with lower support in interaction models.ConclusionLoneliness is prevalent among Latino adults with CVD, particularly in younger, urban, and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Interventions should be age- and context-sensitive, addressing structural and cultural factors in addition to enhancing social support.