Relationship between Tai Chi and the mood states, self-esteem, and subjective well-being of middle-aged and older adults: a cross-sectional study from China

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the influence of Tai Chi on subjective well-being among middle-aged and older adults (aged 45 to 65 years), and reveals the chain mediating role of mood states and self-esteem between the two, providing effective strategies for improving the physical and mental health level of middle-aged and older adults. METHOD: The Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3), Profile of Mood States (POMS), Self-esteem Scale (SES), and Subjective Well-being Scale (SWS) were used to conduct a questionnaire survey among 710 middle-aged and older adults in Chongqing, China, and the relationships among variables were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and Mplus 8.3 software. RESULTS: (1) Significant gender differences were observed in mood (t = -3.00, p < 0.05), self-esteem (t = 2.49, p < 0.01), and subjective well-being (t = 3.70, p < 0.001) among middle-aged and older adults. (2) Tai Chi exercise volume showed a significant negative correlation with mood states (r = -0.33, p < 0.001), while demonstrating significant positive correlations with self-esteem (r = 0.35, p < 0.001) and subjective well-being (r = 0.41, p < 0.001), respectively. (3) Tai Chi exercise volume directly and positively predicted subjective well-being in middle-aged and older adults (β = 0.47, p < 0.001). (4) Mood states (standardized effect size is 0.16) and self-esteem (standardized effect size is 0.04) each exerted partial mediating effects between Tai Chi exercise and subjective well-being. (5) The chained mediation pathway "mood states→self-esteem" demonstrated a statistically significant indirect effect (standardized effect size is 0.07) connecting Tai Chi exercise to subjective well-being. CONCLUSION: Maintaining sound mental health is imperative for middle-aged and older adults. As a green, safe, and healthy non-pharmaceutical measure, middle-aged and older adults people should actively and regularly participate in Tai Chi exercise, which is positively related to the improvement of mood states, self-esteem, and subjective well-being level.