Relationship between Mindfulness and Mental Health in Older Adults

Among 301 retired adults over 60 in China, mindfulness was strongly and positively correlated with mental health (r = 0.933). A simple linear regression indicated that mindfulness significantly predicted mental health (β = 0.933). The authors suggest that mindfulness, as a psychological resource for present-moment awareness, nonjudgmental acceptance, and emotion regulation, may help older adults cope with aging-related stress and emotional distress, and that improving mindfulness could promote mental health and active aging.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Objective: To explore the relationship between mindfulness and mental health among older adults, and to further examine the predictive effect of mindfulness on mental health. Methods: Based on the original survey data, 301 retired older adults aged over 60 years were selected as participants, and only two core variables, mindfulness and mental health, were retained for analysis. The Chinese short form of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire was used to measure mindfulness, and the psychological sub-health subscale of the Sub-health Rating Scale was used to measure mental health. SPSS was used for descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and simple linear regression analysis. Results: Mindfulness was significantly and positively correlated with mental health among older adults (r=0.933, p<0.001). Further simple linear regression analysis showed that mindfulness significantly and positively predicted mental health (β=0.933, t=44.830, p<0.001). Conclusion: Higher mindfulness is associated with better mental health in older adults. As a psychological resource emphasizing present-moment awareness, nonjudgmental acceptance, and emotion regulation, mindfulness may help older adults better cope with physical and psychological changes, life stress, and emotional distress during aging. Improving mindfulness may be an important approach to promoting mental health and active aging.