F59. BROKEN BONDS, LONELY HEARTS: A MEDIATION ANALYSIS OF CHILDHOOD ADVERSITY, RELATIONSHIP QUALITY, AND LONELINESS IN LATER LIFE

Introduction This study examined whether the link between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and later-life loneliness was mediated by quality of social relationships. It is a theory-informed, nationally representative mediation analysis that integrates attachment theory and the life course perspective to examine how distinct ACEs influence later-life loneliness through relationship quality. Methods These data came from the Health and Retirement Study (N = 11,700). Five path models were tested, including four individual relationship models (i.e., spouse, children, relatives, and friends) and a combined model. Results In the spouse model, both child maltreatment and financial hardship increased loneliness via lower support and higher strain, while household dysfunction showed no significant indirect effect. In the children model, child maltreatment and financial hardship again showed significant indirect effects via lower support and higher strain, whereas household dysfunction had a small indirect effect via increased strain only. The relatives model followed a similar pattern to the children model. In the friendship model, only child maltreatment showed a significant indirect effect on later-life loneliness. Conclusions ACEs increased loneliness by reducing social support and increasing social strain, with patterns varying by ACE and relationship type. Loneliness interventions should consider fostering skills to rebuild trust and supportive social ties.