Association between leisure-time physical activity and positive mental health among older caregivers

Abstract Background Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) has well-known benefits for mental health. However, the association between LTPA and positive mental health (PMH) among older caregivers has been studied to a limited extent. This study investigated the association between LTPA and PMH among older Finnish informal caregivers. Methods Electronic survey data on the health and well-being of informal caregivers aged 65+ years (n = 383) were collected as part of the CAREFIT and Family FINGER studies in the spring of 2025. A short version of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (sWEMWBS) was used to assess PMH (range 7-35) with higher scores indicating better positive mental health. LTPA was evaluated based on the self-reported frequency of exercise sessions lasting at least 20 minutes, performed at an intensity level sufficient to induce at least mild breathlessness and sweating. Based on the self-reported physical activity frequency, participants were classified into two groups: physically active (LTPA at least twice a week) and physically inactive (LTPA once a week or less). The mean age of the participants was 73±6 years. The majority were female (84%), married (85%), cared for a spouse (84%) and lived in the same household as the care recipient (87%). In addition, the majority of the participants were physically active (65%). Differences in sWEMWBS score between the two LTPA groups were studied using an independent samples T-test, and the effect size was calculated with Cohen's d. Results The overall mean sWEMWBS score was 23,6±3,8, and varied between 15,3-35,0. PMH was better among physically active group compared to inactive group (sWEMWBS score 24,2±3,7 vs. 22,6±3,7; p < 0,001; Cohen's d = 0,41). Conclusions The preliminary results suggest that a higher level of self-reported LTPA is associated with better PMH among older informal caregivers, although the effect size was small. Supporting LTPA may enhance the mental health of older informal caregivers. Key messages • Our findings indicate that higher leisure-time physical activity is associated with better positive mental health among older informal caregivers. • Our findings emphasize the necessity of identifying strategies to enhance the leisure-time physical activity of older informal caregivers.