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

• Main Authors: Pedro Belo, Esperanza Navarro-Pardo, Ricardo Pocinho, Pedro Carrana, Cristovao Margarido
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2020-04-01
• Series: Frontiers in Psychology
• Subjects: psychological well-being; education level; leisure attitude; elderly; mediation model
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00573/full

PurposeThe 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/MethodologyThe 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.FindingsThe 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 ContributionOur 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).