The Relationship Between Theory of Mind and Social Adequacy in Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Life Skills

Aging is a sensitive period that the examining of different aspects of mental health during this phase becomes very important. Having life skills and not having the feeling of inadequacy at this age can help older adults to spend a better time personally and socially and to play a more adaptive role in interpersonal communication. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of examining social adequacy of older adults based on the theory of mind through the mediating role of life skills. This was a descriptive- correlational study using structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population included all older adults living in care centers for older adults in Tabriz, Iran in the summer of 2023. The sample, selected using convenience sampling method, were 220 people who responded to Felner’s social adequacy, Qumrani et al.’s theory of mind, and Saatchi’s life skills questionnaires. The data were analyzed through Pearson’s correlation coefficient and SEM using SPSS-26 and Lisrel 8.8, respectively. The results revealed that there is a positive relationship between theory of mind with social adequacy and life skills, and there is also a positive relationship between life skills and social adequacy. Besides, life skills served a mediating role in the relationship between theory of mind and social adequacy. Therefore, it is concluded that by training and increasing life skills in older adults, their theory of mind and social adequacy can be improved, which may enhance their mental health.
EXTENDED ABSTRACT
 
Introduction
Decline in the desire to exert effort and engage in activities can stem from a lack of perceived adequacy in older adults, leading to social withdrawal and isolation. Social adequacy is a dynamic phenomenon and a structured skill that is developed through individual interactions and social comparisons. Several studies have demonstrated a relationship between social adequacy and theory of mind. Having a theory of mind allows older adults to understand that mental states can explain and predict others’ behaviors. Theory of mind is a prerequisite for understanding the social environment and is essential for engaging in competitive social behaviors. One variable that may mediate the relationship between theory of mind and social adequacy seems to be life skills. Life skills encompass a wide range of activities that an adult typically needs to manage daily life. These activities include personal care, hygiene and grooming, clothing selection and care, nutrition, medication management, health maintenance, safety, communication, transportation, budgeting, leisure, and professional activities. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the relationship between theory of mind and social adequacy through the mediating role of life skills in older adults.
Method
The present study was descriptive- correlational, using structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of all older residents in nursing homes in Tabriz, Iran during the summer of 2023, among whom 220 individuals were selected using convenience sampling. They responded to Felner’s social adequacy, Qumrani et al.’s theory of mind, and Saatchi’s life skills questionnaires. Inclusion criteria were (1) age between 65 and 85 years, (2) literacy, and (3) willingness to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria included (1) having psychiatric disorders and (2) taking psychiatric medications during the past year. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation coefficient in version 23 of SPSS, and using structural equation modeling in order to examine causal relationships between variables in Lisrel 8.8 software.
Results
The mean and standard deviation indices of the variables indicated appropriate data dispersion, and skewness and kurtosis indices suggested a normal distribution of the research variables. The results of Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed that theory of mind has a positive and significant correlation with life skills and social adequacy. The relationship between life skills and social adequacy was also positive and significant. Additionally, the results indicated that life skills mediate the relationship between theory of mind and social adequacy.
Conclusion
Based on the results obtained, it appears that individuals with poor social adequacy, due to deficiencies in theory of mind, attribute their thoughts and mental states to others, believing that others perceive them as inadequate. Additionally, life skills lead to increased motivation and self confidence, influencing one’s perception of oneself and others, as well as others’ perceptions of them. This results in the development of positive and adaptive behaviors, fostering a sense of well-being and happiness. Life skills are defined as a behavior change or behavior formation approach that balances knowledge, attitude, and skills. In this context, life skills relate to problem-solving, emotional regulation, assertiveness, effective communication, and suchlike, which are applicable in dealing with interpersonal, social, and family issues. Life skills help individuals to gain better control over their emotions. Moreover, understanding that others’ thoughts and feelings differ from one’s own is a high-level social ability that plays a role in the development of social adequacy. These factors contribute to the enhancement of life skills.
Ethical Consideration
Ethical Code
To comply with ethical standards in the research, the study was pre-registered at Mohaghegh Ardabili University.
Financial Support
 Mohaghegh Ardabili University
Authors’ Contributions
M.M: Conceptualization, Methodology,
Writing – Original Draft, Writing – Review & Editing, Project Administration, Supervision; A.A: Software, Validation, Formal Analysis, Data Curation, Visualization.
Conflict of Interest
The author had no conflicts of interest.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to express their gratitude to all participants in this study.
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