Presenting a Structural Model of Psychological Health of the Elderly Based on Loneliness, Death Thoughts, and Rumination: Testing the Mediating Role of Spiritual Intelligence

Abstract

Introduction: The present study aimed to propose a structural model of psychological well-being among older adults based on the components of loneliness, death thought, and rumination, with a focus on the mediating role of spiritual intelligence.

Methods: This research employed a descriptive, quantitative, and correlational design using structural equation modeling. The statistical population included all older adults in the city of Khoy in 2025, from which 200 participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3), Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale – Short Form (RPWB-SF), Death Thought Questionnaire (DTQ), Ruminative Response Scale (RRS), Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory (SISRI). Data analysis was conducted through structural equation modeling and bootstrapping techniques using SmartPLS software.

Results: The findings indicated that loneliness (β = -0.40), rumination (β = -0.38), and death thought (β = -0.30) had significant negative effects on psychological well-being in older adults. Conversely, spiritual intelligence (β = 0.50) exerted both direct and indirect positive effects by mitigating the negative impacts of loneliness (β = -0.10), rumination (β = -0.13), and death thought (β = -0.11) on psychological well-being.

Conclusion: These results highlight the protective role of spiritual intelligence against factors that threaten psychological well-being in older adults. Overall, the findings suggest that strengthening spiritual intelligence may serve as an effective strategy to reduce the adverse effects of loneliness, death thought, and rumination, thereby enhancing psychological well-being in this population.