Abstract
Introduction: Canada is experiencing a rapidly aging population. Older adult women face pressures of both low-income status and mental illness. However, there is a dearth of research exploring older adult women’s mental health, especially for those living in low-income situations. This study examined the factors associated with mental health in a sample of 167 community-dwelling older adult women aged 50–87 years old enrolled in a multi-site community Tai Chi program, living in low-income, ethnoculturally diverse urban areas in Toronto, Canada.
Main Body: An ethnoculturally diverse sample of older adult women (Chinese 37 %, South American 25 %, European 15 %, Caribbean 7 %, South Asian 4 %, Canadian 7 %, and Other 4 %) was recruited. About 66 % of participants had an annual income of $14,000 or less. Participants had an average Short Form 36 Mental Health Component score of 52.23 (SD 8.49) and mean Perceived Stress Scale score of 18.93 (SD 8.21). Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that older age, higher education level (completed high school), and better physical health were associated with lower levels of perceived stress. On the other hand, a greater number of social support sources and more positive expectations regarding aging were associated with higher levels of positive mental health.
Discussion: Despite low-income status, older adult women who are socially engaged and able to take part in physical activity enjoy high levels of mental health and well-being and low levels of perceived stress. The differences in factors uncovered for the two mental health outcomes in this study indicate the importance of using multiple measures of mental health when assessing mental health and well-being.
Implications: Physical health and social support are intimately connected to mental health. Community recreation programs can help improve physical health and widen social support networks.
Response: Keya Saad-Tengmark offers a short reflective poem on retiring and older adult women’s mental health.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would gratefully like to acknowledge funding provided by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and Sport Canada Research Initiative (PI: H. Tamim) Co-investigators: P. L. Weir, C. Ardern, J. Baker, P. Ritvo. January 2009–January 2012. Tai Chi (T. C.) for older adults: improving physical and psychological health and identifying and overcoming cultural/ethnic barriers to participation ($90,000).
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A short reflective poem by: Keya Saad-tengmark
RETIREMENT.
I never knew how to comprehend this word
I did everything I could to ward it off
I kept on working
Until it dawned on me that I now have the freedom to say NO
No obligations
Retirement means freedom.
Retired.
I now have time to meet those friends I never got a chance to before when I was “too busy”
I keep my mind active
Keep studying
I have taken up painting
I will start to sing again with my choir
Find that sweet voice again
I stay involved
I go out at least three times a week
Keep moving
I got an assignment yesterday to act as an interpreter at the hospital my mum died in
I went to the chapel to light a candle for her and I found there was a Christmas concert for the patients
It is so wonderful to be surrounded by this light
Freedom.
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Islam, F., Khanlou, N., Tamim, H., Saad-tengmark, K. (2015). Exploring Women’s Mental Health at the Intersections of Aging, Racialization, and Low Socioeconomic Status. In: Khanlou, N., Pilkington, F. (eds) Women's Mental Health. Advances in Mental Health and Addiction. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17326-9_19
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