Mental Vitality Model of the Elderly Based on Religious Orientation: The Mediating role of Family Functioning

 Vitality means a special psychological experience of a life-giving force that causes a sense of life and spirit in the elderly and is affected by many factors, so the purpose of this study is to investigate the mediating role of family functioning in the relationship between religious orientation and mental vitality of the elderly.

 The present research was a descriptive-correlation type of structural equations. The statistical population of the research included all elderly people over 60 years old in the city of Tehran in 2021, and 300 qualified people were selected as the research sample using available sampling method; and responded online to the Allport & Ross (1967), Epstein et al. (1983) family functioning, and Ryan and Frederick (1997) mental vitality questionnaires. The research model and relationships between variables were analyzed using Pearson correlation using SPSS version 22 software and Amos software.

 The results showed that the direct effect of internal religious orientation on family functioning is positive and significant (β = 0.17, P < 0.01), but the direct effect of external religious orientation on family functioning is negative and significant (P < 0.01, 34 β = -0/0). The direct effect of family functioning on mental vitality was positive and significant (P < 0.01, β = 0.65). The direct effect of internal religious orientation on positive and meaningful mental vitality (P < 0.01, β = 0.20), but the direct effect of external religious orientation on negative and meaningful mental vitality (P < 0.01, -0.04 = β) was Also, family performance has a significant mediating role in the relationship between internal religious orientation (P < 0.05, Z = 2.34) and mental vitality. Also, family performance has a significant mediating role in the relationship between external religious orientation (P < 0.01, Z = -3.56) and mental vitality.

 Religious orientation and family functioning play an important role in the mental vitality of the elderly, so paying attention to them can be an effective way to maintain the mental vitality of the elderly.