The effects of general health on psychological well-being of elderly women: The mediating role of socioeconomic status and education level

Paying attention to general health, quality of life, and mental health as positive aspects of an individual's well-being is crucial, particularly in old age, when physiological and psychosocial functions decline. This study aims to investigate the effect of general health on the psychological well-being of elderly women, with a focus on the mediating roles of socioeconomic status and education level. A descriptive-correlational design was employed, using a deductive approach to connect theoretical concepts with empirical observations. The study adopted a quantitative, survey-based methodology, collecting data from elderly women in Zhengzhou, China. Based on Cochran's formula, the sample size was estimated at 384 participants, with a 0.05 margin of error and a 95% confidence level. A multi-stage cluster random sampling method was used to ensure representativeness. Data were analyzed using SPSS and SmartPLS software. The results indicate that both socioeconomic status and education level significantly affect the psychological well-being of elderly women. A significant relationship was also found between general health and psychological well-being at the 0.01 level. Moreover, socioeconomic status and education level were found to mediate the effect of general health on psychological well-being. These findings highlight the critical role of socioeconomic and educational factors in enhancing mental health outcomes and emphasize general health as a key determinant of psychological well-being in elderly women.