The influence of age on the relationship between future anxiety, loneliness, and quality of life: evidence from a sample of 5409 individuals in the general population in Italy

Abstract Future anxiety (FA), characterized by apprehension about unfavorable changes in the near and distant future, intersects with loneliness and quality of life (QoL). Moreover, it is widely established that aging may influence both loneliness and QoL. Despite acknowledging the impact of FA on QoL, the underlying mechanisms of this relationship are poorly understood. In this study involving 5409 participants (82.12% females), FA, loneliness, and QoL scales were employed to construct a moderated mediation model. FA served as the exogenous variable, QoL as the outcome, and loneliness as the mediator, with age introduced as a moderator. Results showed a direct negative effect of FA on QoL (b=-0.449; p < 0.001) and an indirect effect through loneliness (b=-0.133; p < 0.001). Furthermore, this relationship was negatively moderated by age, suggesting that older individuals, potentially due to greater social connection and support than younger individuals, exhibit a buffering effect, mitigating the impact of future anxiety on their QoL.