Serial Multiple Mediation Analysis Research Articles

Physical Exercise and Psychological Distress: The Mediating Roles of Problematic Mobile Phone Use and Learning Burnout among Adolescents.

Psychological distress among adolescents adversely affects their development and negatively impacts them later in life. The aim of the present study was to determine whether an association exists between physical exercise and psychological distress and to explore the roles of problematic mobile phone use and learning burnout with respect to this association. A total of 2077 Chinese adolescents were evaluated by using the Physical Exercise Questionnaire, the Self-rating Questionnaire for Adolescent Problematic Mobile Phone Use, the Learning Burnout Questionnaire, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21. A serial multiple mediation model was constructed using the SPSS PROCESS macro. The results showed that physical exercise was negatively associated with psychological distress in this Chinese adolescent population. Serial multiple mediation analysis revealed that problematic mobile phone use and learning burnout both independently and serially mediated the association between physical exercise and psychological distress. These findings provide evidence suggesting that increased attention should be given to problematic mobile phone use and learning burnout when establishing and implementing specific strategies that leverage greater participation in physical exercise to decrease psychological distress in adolescents.

Sexual orientation and sleep problem among Chinese college students: Mediating roles of interpersonal problems and depressive symptoms

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate disparities in sleep quality between sexual minority and heterosexual college students, and to examine the serial multiple mediation effects of interpersonal relationships and depressive symptoms on sexual minority disparities in sleep quality. We also explored the sex differences in the mediating effects. MethodsData were drawn from the 2019 School-based Chinese College Students Health Survey using a multi-stage, stratified-cluster, random-sampling method to examine the risk factors of sleep disparities and the mediation effects. Measures included sexual orientation, perceived interpersonal relationships (i.e., family, teachers, and peer relationship), depressive symptoms, sleep quality, and other covariates. ResultsOf all the college students in the analysis, 95.8% were heterosexual, 4.2% were sexual minorities. In the adjusted model without mediation, sexual minority students were at a higher risk of poor sleep quality (P < 0.001). Serial multiple mediation analysis revealed that: both interpersonal relationships and depressive symptoms mediated the link between sexual orientation and sleep quality; a serial indirect pathway (i.e., sexual orientation → interpersonal relationships → depressive symptoms → sleep quality) existed. Moreover, the serial indirect pathway might be moderated by sex. LimitationsCausal inference is limited due to the cross-sectional design. ConclusionsInterventions to prevent or manage sleep disorders of sexual minority college students may yield better results if they consider the effects of improving interpersonal relationships and depression symptoms comprehensively than targeting sleep problems alone.

Empathy and Video Game Addiction in Adolescents: Serial Mediation by Psychological Resilience and Life satisfaction

In this study, it was examined whether empathy is related to video game addiction and whether psychological resilience and life satisfaction mediate this relationship. The sample comprised 324 Turkish adolescents (aged between 11 and 15, mean of age was 13.01), who completed measures of empathy, psychological resilience, life satisfaction, and video game addiction. The results of the serial multiple mediation analysis demonstrated that empathy had a significant direct effect on video game addiction. Psychological resilience had a mediating effect on the association between empathy and video game addiction. Also, life satisfaction had a mediating effect on the association between empathy and video game addiction. Psychological resilience and life satisfaction, serially (in combination) mediated the relationship between empathy and video game addiction. The results of the present study are discussed within the related literature. It is suggested that video game addiction interventions should focus on increasing empathy, psychological resilience, and life satisfaction.

Motivation and Intention Toward Physical Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives From Integrated Model of Self-Determination and Planned Behavior Theories.

Background: In attempts to hinder the spread of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many countries have continued distancing, isolation, and quarantine measures, which has led to limited opportunity of physical activity. This study provides empirical support for a motivational process behind physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic by testing the influence of psychosocial variables derived from the integrated model of self-determination theory (SDT) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB).Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Korean adults (N = 248). Participants completed the measures of SDT and TPB constructs modified to reflect their participation in physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. A sample size of 243 participants was employed, and the integrated model was tested using serial multiple mediation analysis to check the hypothesized relationships.Results: Findings indicated that in the COVID-19 context, the satisfaction of basic psychological needs positively predicts the level of self-determined motivations for physical activity, which is partially related to the level of social cognitive beliefs and intentions. The findings also demonstrated that attitude toward physical activity during COVID-19 was a major variable explaining the serial multiple relationships between the SDT and TPB constructs. The potential influence of demographics (gender, age, marital status, and past physical activity) was controlled as a covariate, and no significant effects were identified.Conclusion: The current study identified the psychosocial mechanisms of intention of South Koreans' physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, which could be used as an empirical basis for the development of interventions to maintain or strengthen physical activity in unprecedented situations.

Leisure activity and cognitive function among Chinese old adults: The multiple mediation effect of anxiety and loneliness

BackgroundMost countries in the world, including China, are experiencing serious aging problems. The decline of cognitive function seriously affects the quality of life of the elderly in their later years and brings an inevitable heavy burden to the family and society. Therefore, in order to achieve successful aging, the purpose of this study is to test the serial multiple mediation effect of anxiety and loneliness between leisure activity and cognitive function in Chinese elderly population. MethodsUsing 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) dataset, we finally selected 6,525 Chinese elderly people over 65 years old after screening. Firstly, we described the basic social demographic information of the sample population. Secondly, Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine whether there is a correlation between leisure activity, anxiety, loneliness and cognitive function in Chinese elderly. Finally, the serial multiple mediation analysis was completed using the SPSS macro PROCESS program. ResultsLeisure activity, anxiety, loneliness and cognitive function were significantly correlated (p<0.01). Leisure activity can not only have a direct positive impact on the cognitive function of the elderly (effect=0.2231; SE=0.0122; 95%CI: LL=0.1992, UL=0.2470), but also have an indirect impact on the cognitive function through three paths: the independent mediating role of anxiety (effect=0.0028; SE=0.0015; 95%CI: LL=0.0001, UL=0.0059), the independent mediating role of loneliness (effect=0.0032; SE=0.0016; 95%CI: LL=0.0002, UL=0.0065), and the chain mediating role of anxiety and loneliness (effect=0.0008; SE=0.0004; 95%CI: LL=0.0001, UL=0.0017). LimitationsAll items were self-reported and some results may have biased. In the future, it may be more instructive to explore the impact of specific leisure activity on the cognitive function of the elderly. ConclusionsThe study suggests that leisure activity can improve cognitive function through decreasing anxiety and loneliness among the Chinese elderly. Diversified interventions aimed at increasing leisure activity participation in older adults would be beneficial for their mental health and cognitive function.

‘Moving the Kaleidoscope’ to see the effect of creative personality traits on creative thinking dispositions of preservice teachers: The mediating effect of creative learning environments and teachers’ creativity fostering behavior

This study aimed to examine the effect of creative personality traits on creative thinking dispositions through creative learning environments and teacher behaviors that foster creativity. Gender, department, and grade level are also defined as common variables. 1320 teacher candidates who were selected with purposeful and appropriate sampling supported the research. 726 of these individuals are females and 594 are males. Participants in the study are teacher candidates from education faculties, science, mathematics, classroom, and educational sciences departments. Whilst determining the participants, attention was paid to the selection of those who have previously taken courses that are directly or indirectly related to creative thinking, critical and analytical thinking, entrepreunership and creativity. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis of the research data. Aside from this, the mediation effect of variables was performed using Hayes' number 6 serial multiple mediation analysis models. As a result of the research, it was found that creative personality traits positively predicted creative thinking dispositions through the learning environment and teachers' fostering behaviors. The creative learning environment and teachers' fostering behaviors similarly have a positive mediating effect.

Serial Mediation Effects on Relationships among Mobbing, Organizational Cynicism, Job Satisfaction and Turnover Intention: Research on Disabled Individuals in Organizations

More than one billion people in the world are living with disabilities, however, the challenges that these individuals face are not being discussed in the social and business realm. Consequently, there are very studies conducted for disabled employees in organizations. Taking this into consideration, the purpose of this study is to observe the effects of serial mediation among the relationships of mobbing, organizational cynicism, job satisfaction, and turnover intention. The sample of the study was comprised of 184 individuals who have a variety of disabilities such as physical, hearing, speech, and learning difficulties, as well as chronic diseases, working in private and state organizations within different sectors. The data was gathered by survey through convenience and snow ball sampling methods. The 40% disability rate used in the public sector was the determining factor of the inclusion criteria. Individuals that had a disability report at this rate or above were accepted as disabled and considered to be part of the study. The first part of the study comprised of determining the factorial structure of items in the scales utilizing the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). After examining the fit indices, it was concluded that the data set fit well within the measurement model. Serial multiple mediation analysis was used to test the proposed hypotheses of the study. The findings revealed that mobbing has an indirect effect on turnover intentions via the serial mediating effects of organizational cynicism and job satisfaction. In other words, as mobbing toward disabled workers increases, the level of organizational cynicism also increases. As a result, the job satisfaction decreases and thus results in higher levels of turnover intention in disabled individuals. The importance of looking at work-related problems with a social model approach that suggests that the problems are related to the perspective of the society rather than looking as a deficiency arising from individuals with disabilities has been emphasized once again with this study. The study also sheds light on the importance of creating necessary practices that determine the effects that negative behaviors and attitudes have toward individuals with disabilities within the work environment.

The Relationship between Self-Directed Learning and Problem-Solving Ability: The Mediating Role of Academic Self-Efficacy and Self-Regulated Learning among Nursing Students.

Problem-solving ability is necessary for the clinical reasoning and decision-making of nurses to solve patients’ health problems. This study aims to investigate the association between self-directed learning and problem-solving ability using the multiple mediation model to identify strategies to enhance problem-solving ability in nursing students. This is a descriptive survey study of 193 nursing students from two universities in South Korea. Data about self-directed learning, self-regulated learning, academic self-efficacy, and problem-solving ability were collected using structured questionnaires between 5 March and 17 June 2018, and were analyzed using serial multiple mediation analysis. The direct effect of self-directed learning on problem-solving ability was statistically significant. The serial multiple mediation technique predicting problem-solving ability from self-directed learning, academic self-efficacy, and self-regulated learning was significant, explaining 40% of the variance in problem-solving ability. The relationship between self-directed learning and problem-solving ability was partially mediated by academic self-efficacy and self-regulated learning. This study suggests the suitability of considering academic self-efficacy and self-regulated learning together when conducting self-directed learning to improve nursing students’ problem-solving ability.

The association of physical fitness with mental health in children: A serial multiple mediation model.

There is growing interest in the association between physical fitness and mental health. This study aimed to extend current knowledge by investigating the potential mediating roles of resilience and anxiety in the association between physical fitness and mental health in children. A total of 269 children were selected by stratified random sampling from three primary schools in China. Physical fitness was scored using the Chinese National Student Physical Fitness Standard. Resilience, anxiety, and mental health data were collected using the following questionnaires: Resilience Scale for Chinese Adolescents, Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children, and the Mental Health Test. The PROCESS macro developed by Hayes was used to conduct serial multiple mediation analysis. We found that physical fitness, resilience, anxiety, and mental health were significantly correlated. Children with higher physical fitness had lower mental health problems; however, this statistical significance was not detectable after controlling for resilience and anxiety. Serial multiple mediation analysis revealed that the association of physical fitness with mental health was partially mediated by resilience and anxiety. These results indicate that the positive association of physical fitness with mental health in children may be changed through resilience and anxiety, which appear to play serial multiple mediating roles in this association. These findings contribute to deeper understanding of the associations between these factors and suggest that promoting physical fitness independent of considering resilience and anxiety may be insufficient to achieve good mental health in children.

Factors Influencing Suicidal Ideation Among Adolescents: The Serial Mediating Effect of Depression and Sleep Quality on Attitude Toward Mental Health Services.

The purpose of the current study was to examine the serial mediating effect of sleep quality and depression on the relationship between attitude toward mental health services and suicidal ideation among adolescents attending middle and high school in Daejeon City, South Korea. A total of 151 of 200 surveys were used for serial multiple mediation analysis. Suicidal ideation was positively associated with depression (r = 0.706, p < 0.001) and sleep quality (r = 0.173, p = 0.034), and negatively associated with age (r = -0.19, p = 0.02). Suicidal ideation was positively influenced by attitude toward mental health services (β = 0.261, p = 0.039), which was also influenced by depression (β = 2.805, p < 0.001). Depression was shown to have a significant mediating effect on the relationship of attitude toward mental health services for suicidal ideation (indirect effect = -0.828); however, sleep quality did not have an effect. Regular assessment of and interventions for depression are a priority for overall prevention of adolescent suicide. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 58(11), 29-36.].

The association between mindfulness and health promotion in undergraduate nursing students: A serial multiple mediator analysis

This study was conducted to examine the association between mindfulness and health promotion among undergraduate nursing students and explore the mediation effect of certain factors (perceived stress, depressive symptoms, self-care agency, and impulsivity) on this relationship. Cross-sectional quantitative design. A total of 195 undergraduate nursing students from a public university in Jordan participated in this study. A demographic questionnaire was used in addition to using well-established, validated tools to measure health promotion, mindfulness, perceived stress, depressive symptoms, impulsivity, and self-care agency. Data were collected between March and November 2018. Data were analysed using PROCESS macros. The direct association between mindfulness and health promotion was positive but not statistically significant. Simple mediation analysis showed that perceived stress is the only statistically significant mediator (effect=0.03; 95% CI: LL=0.008, UL=0.057). The serial multiple mediator analyses revealed that three combinations of the mediators made the mindfulness effect on health promotion statistically significant; perceived stress and self-care agency (effect=-0.01, 95% CI: LL=-0.022, UL=-0.01); depressive symptoms and self-care agency (effect=0.016, 95% CI: LL=0.006, UL=0.03); and perceived stress with depressive symptoms and self-care agency (effect=0.006, 95% CI: LL=0.002, UL=0.013). The results of this study add to the literature evidence concerning the mediation role of perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and self-care agency on the relationship between mindfulness and health promotion among nursing students. This study examined the complex relationship between mindfulness and health promotion. There is a mediation effect of nursing students' perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and self-care agency on the relationship between mindfulness and health promotion. Researchers interested in designing mindfulness-based interventions to optimize health promotion of nursing students could benefit from the findings of this study.

Social comparisons on social media: online appearance-related activity and body dissatisfaction in adolescent girls.

Adolescents' engagement with online social networking platforms is advancing at an exponential rate and research is needed to investigate any impact on young users' mental health. This study examined appearance-related activity (e.g. looking at photos of friends) on social media and body dissatisfaction among adolescent girls. Self-report measures of online appearance-related activity, social comparisons to female target groups, internalization of the thin ideal, body dissatisfaction, and self-esteem were administered to 210 girls (mean age = 15.16 years). Body dissatisfaction was significantly related to (i) time spent engaged in social comparisons and (ii) upward social comparisons with various female targets while online. Evaluating oneself less favorably than the target group of close friends was most strongly associated with poorer body image appraisals. Serial multiple mediation analysis revealed that even after controlling for age and self-esteem, time spent engaged in social comparisons significantly mediated the relationship between online appearance-related activity and body dissatisfaction. This association was then further partially mediated by internalization of the thin ideal, which significantly mediated the relationship between time engaged in social comparisons and body dissatisfaction. Results are discussed in terms of online social media platforms representing an additional appearance culture environment for adolescent girls. The effects of this on the mental health of vulnerable users and how future research should investigate protective factors that may buffer young girls from the adverse effects of social media are considered.

The dark side of gratitude: Gratitude could lead to moral violation

Past research has provided abundant evidence for the positive impacts of gratitude on individuals and society. However, based on the social function of gratitude, which is proposed to be personal relationship promotion, some negative effects of gratitude may exist, especially when the needs of personal relationship promotion and moral norm obedience are in conflict. The current studies investigated whether gratitude leads individuals to violate moral norms for their benefactors and characterized its underlying psychological mechanisms. Scenario-based and laboratory-based results from a series of six studies (N = 663) showed that gratitude increases individuals' moral violations (lying and lowering due punishment) when the violation protects their benefactors from harm. Serial multiple mediation analyses and computational models further demonstrated the crucial roles of relationship-building tendency towards the benefactors and harm avoidance on behalf of the benefactors in the gratitude-induced moral violation. These findings deepen the understanding of gratitude and gratitude-induced behaviour.

Attachment to God and Religious Coping as Mediators in the Relation between Immigration Distress and Life Satisfaction among Korean Americans

ABSTRACT We investigated the effect of immigration distress on Korean Americans’ life satisfaction, using attachment to God and religious coping as mediators. A sample of 214 participants was recruited from urban ethnic churches in various states, and they responded to online or offline surveys. There were two serial multiple mediation models (Models A and B) developed based on the attachment system activation model and empirical evidence. Each of the models included a pair of the two mediators: avoidant attachment to God and positive religious coping for Model A, and anxious attachment to God and negative religious coping for Model B. We initially examined the overall model fit as well as the direct and indirect effects using AMOS 21. Upon finding significant aggregated indirect effects, we examined individual indirect effects using the PROCESS macro for SPSS. Results demonstrated that Model A showed a poor model fit and Model B showed a good model fit to the observed data. Serial multiple mediation analyses provided some support for our conceptualization that distress activates the attachment to God system as an internal working model that is translated into religious coping as attachment behavior. As expected in Model B, distress was inversely associated with life satisfaction through anxious attachment to God and negative religious coping. Model A demonstrated rather complicated relations. The implications of cultural, theoretical, and methodological issues, with special regard to attachment to God and religious coping in Korean Americans as immigrants, were discussed.

The importance of keeping employees satisfied

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between three antecedents, namely, work self-determination, managerial support (i.e. interpersonal motivation style) and person–organization fit (P-O) (i.e. shared values among employees and the overall organization) on employee work satisfaction in a French Canadian health care context. Assessing the relationships between such intrapersonal, interpersonal and macro-level variables will help to better comprehend work satisfaction in health care and shed light on applicable transformations for management.Design/methodology/approachThe study tested a judicious model grounded in self-determination theory in order to capture and construe the three levels of influence. Participants were recruited from four health centers in the Suroît (Quèbec, Canada) region. Management was provided with the questionnaire and asked to distribute to all employees including nurses and allied health. A serial multiple mediation analysis was used to test the proposed model.FindingsThe findings revealed that nearly 60 percent of the participants from each of the professional groups reported feeling moderately to not at all satisfied with their job (follow-up ANOVA revealed that nurses were the least satisfied). Through closer examination, the findings revealed that 46 percent of the variance in reported job satisfaction was explained by the three focal antecedents from the hypothesized model (work self-determination, managerial support and P-O fit). Therefore the model, in its entirety, represents a comprehensive perspective for influencing employee work satisfaction in particularly demanding health care work contexts.Originality/valueThe study is the first to indicate the prevailing factors necessary to pursue and support employee satisfaction within a health care context among French Canadians.

Transition Engagement of African American Youth With Disabilities: A Serial Mediation Model

The purpose of this study was to draw from self-determination and self-efficacy theories to evaluate psychological constructs (autonomous motivation, competency, and outcome expectancy) as mediators of the relationship between working alliance and engagement in transition–vocational rehabilitation (VR) services among African American students with disabilities. A serial multiple mediation analysis was computed to evaluate the mediators of transition-VR service engagement in a sample of 88 African American high school students with disabilities. We found that working alliance was positively associated with active engagement in transition-VR services (total effect), whereas the direct effect of working alliance on engagement was not significant after controlling for the effects of autonomous motivation, competency, and outcome expectancy, supporting significant mediation effects. Findings suggest that a strong working alliance between students and rehabilitation counselors and transition specialists can foster autonomous motivation, competency, and outcome expectancy, resulting in higher levels of engagement in transition-VR services.

Reconstructing Disruptive Life Events Using the RE-LIFE Questionnaire: Further Validation of the ‘Narrative Meaning Making of Life Events’ Model Using Multiple Mediation Analysis

Abstract The theoretical model: ‘Narrative meaning making and integration of life events’ hypothesizes that life events such as falling ill may result in an ‘experience of contingency’. Through narrative meaning making, this experience may be eventually integrated into patients’ life stories, which, in turn, may enhance their quality of life. To contribute to our understanding of this existential dimension of falling ill and to further validate the theoretical model, we examined the relationships among the concepts assessed with the RE-LIFE questionnaire. Two hypothesized mediation models were assessed using regression-based serial multiple mediation analysis. Model 1, assessing the influence of ‘experience of contingency’ on ‘acknowledging’, was significant and showed partial mediation by indirect influences through ‘negative impact on life goals’ and ‘existential meaning’. Model 2, assessing the influence of ‘experience of contingency’ on ‘quality of life’, was also significant, with a full mediation by the variables ‘negative impact on life goals’, ‘existential meaning’ and ‘acknowledging’. In conclusion, several hypothesized relationships within the theoretical model were confirmed. Narrative meaning making and integration significantly influence people’s self-evaluation of their quality of life.

The Relationship Between Pain and Physical Function: Mediating Role of Sleep Quality, Depression, and Fatigue.

The current study investigated whether osteoarthritis pain was associated with physical function and aimed to identify possible multistep indirect pathways of the association between pain and physical function through sleep quality, depression, and fatigue. Using the survey method, data were collected from 222 adults age ≥65 years diagnosed with osteoarthritis at a senior welfare center in Daejeon, Korea. Data were statistically analyzed using serial multiple mediation analysis. Study findings showed that the relationship between pain and limitation of physical function was partially mediated by sleep quality, depression, and fatigue. The experience of pain among older adults with osteoarthritis directly and most strongly led to limitations in physical functioning, and pain-induced sleep disorders, depression, and fatigue may sequentially negatively affect physical functioning. Thus, pain is a possible fundamental cause of poor, or deterioration in, physical functioning in older adults with osteoarthritis. Therefore, pain assessment and pain management should be prioritized when caring for older adults with osteoarthritis. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 45(7), 46-54.].

The Predictive role of Cognitive Factors and Academic Self-efficacy on Academic Functioning of Children at Risk for Specific Learning Disabilities

&lt;p style="text-align:justify"&gt;The goals of the study were to examine the predictive power of general cognitive ability, working memory, and self-efficacy in first grade for academic functioning of children at risk for learning disabilities in second grade. The study involved 82 children (age 6-7 years) from five local public elementary schools in middle-class neighborhoods in Jerusalem, including 41 children at risk for specific learning disabilities and 41 typically developing peers. In the first stage of the study, (performed at the end of first grade), general cognitive ability and working memory were assessed using subtests from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (the subtests consisted of: Vocabulary and Block Design for general cognitive ability; Arithmetic and Digit Span for working memory). Academic self-efficacy was rated using a structural interview. At follow-up, academic functioning was assessed at the end of second grade. A serial-multiple mediation analysis revealed significant mediating roles for levels of performance in the Arithmetic subtest and for academic self-efficacy in predicting the academic functioning in second grade. The significance of the Arithmetic subtest, based on contemporary research on the structure of the intelligence was proposed. Educational implications call for sensitizing teachers to the unique role of academic self-efficacy in shaping trajectories of academic functioning development among children with RLD and in using effective strategies of promoting self-efficacy.&lt;/p&gt;

Potential Effects of Mediators on Health Perception in Older Adults

Several aspects could influence mental and physical components of subjective quality of life perceptions. In particular, healthy diet and physically active lifestyles could play a crucial role for successful aging and sustainable quality of life in advancing years. PURPOSE: To determine the mediating effects of energy expenditure (EE) and intake (EI), body composition (BC) and dissatisfaction (BD) on the relation between age and health and quality of life perception. METHODS: 42 senior athletes, 55 physically active, and 61 sedentary adults (aged 55-85 years) were submitted to anthropometric (body mass, height - Body Mass Index [BMI]), weekly energy expenditure (EE), and dietary intake (EI) evaluations, and administered Body Image Dimensional Assessment (BDI), Short Form Health Survey - Physical (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) questionnaires. Two serial multiple model mediation analyses were applied to assess whether mechanisms involving diet-related and physical activity-related personal characteristics and behaviors (4 mediators: EE, EI, BMI, BDI) mediated the relation between age and PCS or MCS health-related quality of life perception. RESULTS: Only for MCS the mediation analysis showed: a) a direct effect of age on MSC (c’=0.31, p=0.002; CI(95%)=0.12; 0.50); b) a mediation path by EE, EI, BMI, and BDI (-0.0027, Bootstrap CI(95%)=-0.0105; -0.0002); and c) a positive total effect (c=0.22, p=0.02; CI(95%)=0.04; 0.39). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of positive and negative effects throughout the mediation path of mental health perception of older individuals underlined that the maintenance of adequate level of physical activity could influence the body image and, in turn, positively impact mental health with advancing age. Supported by MIUR Grant 2010KL2Y73