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

PURPOSE: The 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/METHODOLOGY: The 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. FINDINGS: The 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 CONTRIBUTION: Our 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).