The Mediating Role of Physical Activity in The Relationship of Emotional Intelligence with Psychological Well-Being in Elderly People

Objectives :

having adequate physical activity during aging period can be effective in improving mental health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating role of physical activity in the relationship of Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Psychological Well-Being (PWB). 

Methods & Materials :

This is a descriptive/correlational study. The study population consisted of elderly people in Ahvaz, Iran. Of these, 120 with a mean age of 64.52±2.98 were selected using convenience and purposive sampling methods and based on inclusion criteria (age over 60 years, the ability to understand and answer to the questions, full consciousness, and mental health). Data were collected using Cyberia-Shrink’s EI test, Ryff’s PWB questionnaire and Craig’s International Questionnaires of Physical Activity. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS V. 21 and AMOS V.18 applications by using the correlation coefficient and Bootstrap test (to determine the mediating role of physical activity). The significance level was set at P<0.05.  

Results:

 There was a significant correlation between EI and physical activity(r= 0.70), between EI and PWB (r= 0.84) and between physical activity and PWB (r= 0.70) (p<0.01). Physical activity had a mediating role in the relationship of EI and PWB using Bootstrap test (P <0.001).

Conclusion:

 There was a positive and significant relationship between EI and PWB and physical activity had a mediating role. Therefore, encouraging elderly people to have physical activity can improve their emotional and mental health and help them have a healthy and comfortable old age.