Purpose: During old age, it is important for individuals to maintain good mental health, engage in social activities, communicate effectively with others, and maintain cognitive and physical abilities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore how sports participation can enhance psychological well-being in the elderly people through the mediation of social identity.
Methods: This study utilized a descriptive-correlational research design. The study population consisted of men aged 60 and above living in Gorgan city in 2020. A total of 220 individuals were selected through available and targeted sampling, with 20 incomplete questionnaires excluded. Data was collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire by Craig et al. (2003), Riff's psychological well-being scale (1989), and Safarinia and Roshan's social identity scale (2013). Data analysis was conducted using Pearson's correlation coefficient and structural equation analysis with SPSS version 21 and AMOS version 24 software.
Results: The results of the correlation coefficient analysis revealed a positive and significant relationship between sports participation and social identity (r=0.67), sports participation and psychological well-being (r=0.69), and social identity and psychological well-being (r=0.71) at a significance level of p<0.01. Additionally, the mediating role of social identity between sports participation and psychological well-being was found to be significant at the p<0.001 level.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that engaging in sports activities can enhance the psychological well-being of the elderly by strengthening their social identity.