Correlation between Participation in Physical Activity and Psychological Well-being among Elderly Women: The Mediating Role of Resilience

Background: Physical activity (PA) and resilience may be effective in increasing the strength, vitality and productivity of the elderly. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to explore the correlation between participation in PA and psychological wellbeing among elderly women with considering the mediating role of resilience.Methods: This descriptive-correlational study consisted of 320 elderly women in Tehran, Iran in 2023 who were selected through convenience sampling technique. Standard Questionnaires were used for data collection. Pearson correlation test and the path analysis were used for data analysis.Results: The level of engagement in PA was below the average (256.47 out of 793). Also, PA had a significant correlation with psychological well-being (r=0.589, P 0.001). Additionally, PA had a significant correlation and resilience (r=0.714, P 0.001). Furthermore, resilience had a significant correlation with psychological well-being (r=0.625, P 0.001). Finally, resilience significantly mediated the correlation between PA and psychological well-being (Z=5.967, P 0.001).Conclusion: The findings of the study clearly demonstrated that active participation in PA plays a significant role in enhancing the mental well-being of older women. Therefore, it is highly recommended to prioritize the promotion of PA as the primary strategy to improve the psychological well-being of elderly women.