Behavioural and psychological factors associated with pre-frailty in community-dwelling adults aged 40 and over: a cross-sectional study

Frailty and pre-frailty are major public health concerns. While frailty is typically associated with older adults, evidence suggests that pre-frailty commonly starts in middle-age. This study examined associations between behavioural and psychological correlates of pre-frailty and frailty in adults from 40 years to help identify at-risk individuals and inform interventions. Participants (N = 321, mean age = 56 (10.55), 83% female) completed questionnaires on frailty status, physical activity, co-morbidities, quality of life, loneliness, social isolation, and attitudes towards ageing. Participants were classified as non-frail (35%), pre-frail (60%), or frail (5%). One-way ANCOVAs, controlling for age, BMI, and co-morbidities, found that pre-frail participants reported feeling older than their chronological age (F = 2.37, p < .014, η² = .398); and pre-frail and frail participants reported greater loneliness (F = 6.31, p = .022, η² = .073) and negative attitudes toward ageing (F = 2.41, p = .004, η² = .210) compared to non-frail participants. These findings indicate the need for targeted holistic interventions in middle age to prevent or delay frailty.