The mediating role of life satisfaction, social support, and loneliness in the relationship between elder abuse and death anxiety in Iranian older adult inpatients: a structural equation model

Elderly inpatients are at risk of abuse and death anxiety. The authorities at health organizations should develop monitoring systems for early identification of the more vulnerable patients and provide relevant counseling services. In addition, there is need for workshops to raise professional caregivers' awareness of elder abuse and death anxiety. Social support plays a mediating role in the relationship between abuse and death anxiety among older adult patients in hospitals. Preventive interventions designed to promote and expand family and social sources of support may help lower death anxiety among older adult inpatients.