Physical activity and social support mediate the relationship between chronic diseases and positive mental health in a national sample of community-dwelling Canadians 65+: A structural equation analysis.

Background: Mental health is a critical component of healthy aging. Aging increases the likelihood of developing chronic diseases. The negative effects of chronic diseases on mental health have been extensively documented. Physical activity and social support have been reported to influence mental health positively.

Methods: Data analyzed are drawn from the national Canadian Community Health Survey - Mental Health in 2012. Structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques were used to estimate and test the mediating role of physical activities and social support in the relationship between chronic disease, positive mental health, and psychological distress in a national adult population sample aged 65+.

Results: Approximately 83% of the older adults sample reported having at least one chronic disease, and the mean score of psychological distress and positive mental health was 14.15 ± 4.73 and 55.28 ± 10.67, respectively. Initial analysis found that chronic illness was negatively related to positive mental health (β= -0.72, P < 0.001) and positively related to psychological distress (β=0.98, P < 0.001). The final structural model found that physical activity and social support partially mediated the negative consequences of chronic disease on psychological distress and strengthened seniors' positive mental health.

Limitations: Limiting causal attribution, potential reporting bias and limited in recognizing negative and positive social support are the major limitations.

Conclusions: Older adults with chronic diseases should be encouraged to increase physical activity and social support levels. The study outcomes have clinical implications for the delivery of mental health services to improve mental health and resilience to coping with stress among older adults.