The influence of social support on active aging in chronic disease patients among older adults: mediating role of coping strategies.

Social support was significantly and positively associated with active aging in older adults with chronic diseases.

• Correlation coefficient r = 0.422, p < 0.01
• Study conducted between August 2024 and May 2025
• Instruments used included the Chinese versions of the Active Aging Scale, the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire, and the Social Support Questionnaire
• Statistical analyses conducted using SPSS 25.0 and Amos 24.0

Social support was significantly and positively associated with medical coping styles.

• Correlation coefficient r = 0.408, p < 0.01
• Medical coping styles were assessed using the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (Chinese version)
• Data collected from older adults with chronic diseases

Medical coping styles were strongly and positively correlated with active aging.

• Correlation coefficient r = 0.485, p < 0.01
• This was the strongest bivariate correlation reported among the three main study variables
• Active aging was measured using the Chinese version of the Active Aging Scale

Medical coping styles partially mediated the relationship between social support and active aging.

• The direct effect of social support accounted for 71.72% of the total effect on active aging
• The indirect effect transmitted through coping styles explained the remaining 28.28% of the total effect
• Mediation analysis was performed using Amos 24.0
• The partial mediation indicates social support influences active aging both directly and indirectly through coping strategies

Confrontation coping style exerted a significant positive influence on active aging.

• Standardized regression coefficient β = 0.474, p < 0.001
• Confrontation coping was one dimension assessed within the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire
• Among the coping dimensions examined, confrontation coping style was identified as the key mediating mechanism
• Social support indirectly promotes active aging by encouraging patients to adopt a confrontation-oriented coping style