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. 2023 Apr 3:11:1079593.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1079593. eCollection 2023.

Mediating effects of meaning in life on the relationship between family care, depression, and quality of life in Chinese older adults

Jing-Jing Zhou  1   2 , Yu Zhang  1 , Qing-Zhuo Ren  1 , Ting Li  1   3 , Gui-Ding Lin  4 , Min-Yi Liao  5 , Shao-Hua Chen  6 , Pei Tong  1 , Yu-Lin Gao  1
Affiliations

Mediating effects of meaning in life on the relationship between family care, depression, and quality of life in Chinese older adults

Jing-Jing Zhou et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: The study explored sources of meaning in older adults and the action path among family care, meaning in life, quality of life, and depression.

Materials and methods: We investigated 627 older adults using the Sources of Meaning in Life Scale for the Elderly (SMSE), the Family Care Index (APGAR), the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale-10 (CES-D-10), and the EuroqOL-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D).

Results: Scores categorized 454 older adults with good family function, 99 with moderate, and 47 with severe family dysfunction; 110 older adults had depression. The structural equation model showed that family care affected the quality of life and depression by influencing meaning, and depression had a significant negative effect on the quality of life (P < 0.05). The model was a good fit for the data (χ2/df = 3.300, SRMR = 0.0291, GFI = 0.975, IFI = 0.971, TLI = 0.952, CFI = 0.971, RMSEA = 0.062).

Conclusion: Meaning in life is an intermediary factor that affects depression and quality of life in older adults. Family care had a significant positive impact on SMSE and a negative influence on depression. The SMSE effectively clarifies the sources of meaning in life and can be used to improve meaning and promote mental health in older adults.

Keywords: depression; meaning in life; older adults; quality of life; sources of meaning; successful aging.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pathways among meaning in life, family care index, depression, and quality of life.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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