Psychosocial Resources: Moderators or Mediators of Frailty Outcomes?

Characterized by a diminished reserve and a reduced ability to cope with stressors, frailty is a multidimensional syndrome that remains one of the most fundamental challenges to health and aged care systems worldwide.1 Frailty is a dynamic entity,2 and as such, may be amenable to change with physical activity, protein supplementation, and/or a reduction in polypharmacy.3 In addition to these biomedical factors, an older adult's psychosocial resources also can be considered as a potential target for frailty intervention, particularly in the early stages of frailty.4 Psychosocial resources include social support, well-being, coping style, and a sense of personal control.5 In recent years, the relationship between frailty and psychosocial resources has gained much research interest4,6–8: the general consensus is that an older person with higher psychosocial resources will have a greater ability to cope with frailty.