Factors Influencing Mental Health among Older Adults with Chronic Illness
Keywords:
Lifestyle medicine behaviors, Mental health, Older adults with chronic illness, Resilience, Social supportAbstract
Older adults with chronic illnesses are at an elevated risk of developing mental health problems due to the complex and ongoing nature of their conditions. This descriptive, predictive correlational study aimed to examine factors influencing mental health among older adults with chronic illnesses. The sample consisted of 155 older adults receiving services at a chronic disease clinic at Klaeng Hospital, Rayong Province, selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires that measured self-compassion, resilience, lifestyle medicine behaviors, perceived social support, and mental health. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression analysis.
The results revealed that the majority of older adults with chronic illnesses had mental health levels above the general population norm (73.50%), followed by levels comparable to (21.30%) and below (5.20%) the general population. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that resilience (β = 0.38, p < 0.001) and social support (β = 0.23, p < 0.01) were significant predictors, collectively accounting for 27.20% of the variance in mental health (R² = 0.272, adjusted R² = 0.262, F (2, 152) = 28.36, p < 0.001).
These findings suggest that resilience and social support are key factors influencing the mental health of older adults with chronic illnesses. Consequently, these variables may serve as evidence-based targets for designing and implementing mental health promotion programs for this population.
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