The mediating role of spiritual well-being, meaning in life, and religiosity in the relationship between loneliness and mental well-being among Turkish older adults experiencing spousal loss

This study investigates the mediating roles of spiritual well-being, meaning in life, and religiosity in the relationship between loneliness and mental well-being among Turkish older adults who have experienced spousal loss. The sample consisted of 403 participants aged between 65 and 84 (<i>M</i> = 72, <i>SD</i> = 5.20), all of whom had lost their spouses. The findings revealed that spiritual well-being, a sense of meaning in life, and levels of religiosity significantly influenced the relationship between loneliness and mental well-being. Participants with stronger spiritual orientation, a greater sense of meaning in life, and higher levels of religiosity reported lower levels of loneliness and higher levels of mental well-being. These results highlight the crucial role of culturally shaped spiritual, religious, and meaning-oriented coping strategies in enhancing mental well-being. Furthermore, the findings underscore that healthy aging is a multidimensional process supported not only by physical health but also by psychological and spiritual integrity. The study also suggests that culturally sensitive interventions aimed at strengthening spiritual and existential resources may be effective in supporting the mental well-being of older adults who have experienced spousal loss.