Relationship Between Mental Health and the Education Level in Elderly People: Mediation of Leisure Attitude

Abstract

Purpose: The present study intends to explore the influence of education on the mental health of retired people and the mediating role of a leisure attitude in this relationship.Design/Methodology: The sample was simple random, and a confidentiality agreement was established. The sample was composed of 403 Portuguese participants (37.2% male; 62.8% female). The participants completed the MHI and the LAS.Findings: The hypothesized mediation model showed that a leisure attitude mediated the association between education and well-being. In addition, higher levels of distress were found in participants with higher levels of education.Scientific Contribution: Our results suggest that old-aged people with high education and a more positive leisure attitude have a better psychological adjustment concerning well-being. Also, a higher level of education can lead to a better perception of aging changes (physical, life, profession).

Do Older Adults with Parent(s) Alive Experience Higher Psychological Pain and Suicidal Ideation? A Cross-Sectional Study in China

“…Pompili et al [38] explained that individuals with higher educational achievement may be more prone to suicide risk when facing failures, public shame, and high premorbid functioning. However, several previous studies found the opposite results [32,[39][40][41]. Belo et al [39] reported that old-age people with high education have a better psychological adjustment concerning well-being, which is in consistent with our results.…”

“…However, several previous studies found the opposite results [32,[39][40][41]. Belo et al [39] reported that old-age people with high education have a better psychological adjustment concerning well-being, which is in consistent with our results. Oh et al's study [40] in Korea found that elderly people with low education level were associated with the risk of incident suicidality.…”

Assessment of anxiety in elderly population during the COVID‐19 pandemic and the impact of compulsory home‐stay in the central districts of Ankara, Turkey: A quantitative, qualitative mixed method study

“…Previous studies have shown that high education levels and positive leisure attitudes are important parameters in terms of psychological well‐being in the elderly population. 25 Another study from a sample of elderly subjects in the north of Portugal showed that elderly individuals with lower level of education tended to have higher values for both depression and anxiety. 26 …”

Cross-cultural adaptation and content validity of leisure attitude measurement for older adults

“…In the health field, involvement in leisure activities promotes physical health, positive social interactions, psychological well-being and quality of life 5,7,9 . Thus, leisure can be considered as a conditioner and determinant of the health-disease process, especially regarding mental health 10 . In addition, involvement in leisure activities is a predictor of health self-perception and functional capacity in the older adults, and some leisure activities are related to healthpromoting behavior 11 .…”

“…People's practices during leisure says more about their attitude than in any other context 4,10,12 . Therefore, it is relevant to know the attitude of the older people in relation to leisure in order to allow a better understanding of this type of social practice and stimulate more positive attitudes and engagement in leisure activities 6,13 .…”