Study protocol : longitudinal observational study on frailty and mental health

Mikolič, Petra (author), Bregar, Branko (author), Vatovec, Katarina (author), Bertole, Tjaša (author), Oreški, Suzana (author), Ferlan Istinič, Marjeta (author), Berlot, Lina (author), Vinko, Matej (author)

Introduction: Frailty is a dynamic condition associated with increased vulnerability to adverse health outcomes in older adults. While previous research has primarily focused on deficit-based mental health factors, such as depression and loneliness, less is known about the role of positive mental health determinants, including wellbeing, resilience and social connectedness, in the development and progression of frailty. Understanding both risk and protective factors is essential for informing public health strategies aimed at promoting healthy aging. This study aims to examine the longitudinal relationship between mental health and frailty in a nationally sampled population of adults aged 50 years and older in Slovenia. Methods and analysis: This longitudinal observational cohort study will collect data at four time points over a 2-year period (January 2026-March 2028). A stratified random sample of community-dwelling adults aged 50–84 years will be drawn from the national population registry, with 5,000 individuals invited to participate in the first wave. Frailty, mental health and a set of social, psychological, and health-related factors will be assessed. Data will be analyzed using a combination of descriptive, inferential and longitudinal statistical methods to examine associations between frailty and mental health over time. Potential explanatory factors will also be explored within the longitudinal framework, and additional analyses will assess the impact of attrition.

• Language: English
• Keywords: frailty, adverse health outcomes, older adults, healthy aging
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: MF - Faculty of Medicine
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: 6 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 14, art. 1861495
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-185467
• UDC: 614
• ISSN on article: 2296-2565
• DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1861495
• COBISS.SI-ID: 284664323
• Publication date in RUL: 06.08.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Frontiers in public health
• Shortened title: Front. public health
• Publisher: Frontiers Media
• ISSN: 2296-2565
• COBISS.SI-ID: 523096857

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: krhkost, starejši, zdravo staranje, neugodni zdravstveni izidi

Projects

• Funder: EC - European Commission
• Project number: C2711-25-064202
• Name: Systemic Approach to Frailty with an Emphasis on Prefrailty for Healthy and Quality Aging